Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are set to rewrite the narrative of West African geopolitics, as they forge ahead with ambitious plans for political and economic integration under the banner of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“Signalling a significant shift away from established regional blocs,” General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger outlined multifaceted plans, emphasizing political, economic, and monetary dimensions. This initiative comes amid military rule in the three nations following recent coups.
Top diplomats of the AES, in a Bamako meeting, underscored the pivotal role of diplomacy, defense, and development. The proposed measures include a stabilisation fund, an investment bank, and the formation of a committee studying an economic and monetary union, all aimed at fortifying the economic foundations of the nascent confederation.
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Under the Liptako-Gourma Charter, military leaders formalized the AES with a mutual defense pact in mid-September, reinforcing their commitment to collective security.
However, the move to depart from the West African monetary union, particularly the West African CFA franc tied to the Euro, may isolate AES countries from the broader West African Economic Community.
General Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso affirmed solidarity, stating, “The AES extends beyond a defense pact, projecting its evolution toward a robust economic alliance.”
Credit: West Africa Weekly