Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goita, has overseen a ceremony in Bamako marking the establishment of a joint military force for Sahel alliance countries.
The event took place at an air force base in the Malian capital and represents the latest step by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to deepen cooperation and regional integration. All three nations are governed by military juntas and continue to face persistent Islamist insurgencies.
Earlier this year, Niger’s defence minister announced that the planned 5,000-member force would be able to “intervene together” to respond to security threats across the region.
Burkina Faso’s General Daouda Traoré has been appointed commander of the new force, which will operate from a central command base in Niamey, Niger’s capital.
The launch ceremony was attended by defence ministers from the three Sahel Alliance countries, along with ambassadors and representatives of international organizations accredited to Mali.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger formed the Sahel Alliance after withdrawing from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The bloc has accused ECOWAS of imposing harsh sanctions following military coups and of acting against the interests of citizens in the alliance countries.
