3 Countries in Sahel Region Unite Against 'Foreign Assault'

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger - all under military rule and struggling to contain insurgents - have signed a pact to help against any rebellion or external aggression, particularly by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

These nations have seen their relations with neighbours and international partners strained following the coups. "Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties," according to the charter of the pact, known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger were members of the France-supported G5 Sahel alliance joint force with Chad and Mauritania, launched in 2017 to tackle extremists in the region. Mali has since exited the dormant organisation after a military coup, while deposed Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum said in May 2022 that the force is now "dead" following Mali's departure.

The relations between France and the three states have become frosty since the military coups that toppled civilian rule.

This article originally appeared on allAfrica.

Image via Geopolitical Monitor.