Burkina Faso leader vows AES alliance crackdown on armed groups in Sahel

"Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali have launched joint battalion aiming to bolster sovereignty after group booted out France, US. Burkina Faso's interim leader, who is part of a regional alliance of military-led countries that includes Mali and Niger, has announced large-scale joint operations against armed groups in the coming days. Captain Ibrahim Traore's comments came as the three countries, allied under the banner of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), held a joint summit that concluded on Tuesday, days after the launch of a joint military battalion aimed at fighting groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS)."

"The military leaders of the three nations have kicked out longtime security partners France and the United States, turning instead to Russia as an ally in their bid to advance regional sovereignty, with this week's launch of the 5,000-strong AES Unified Force (FU-AES) seen as a key milestone for the bloc. General Omar Tchiani, leader of Niger's military government, said at the summit that the AES had put an end to all occupation forces in our countries. No country or interest group will decide for our countries any more, he said."

"Burkina Faso's Traore warned of looming destabilisation in West Africa, which he termed the Black Winter a phase of external threats, violence, and economic pressure aimed at undermining Sahelian sovereignty. At the summit, the three states launched a joint broadcaster called AES Television, with Malian President General Assimi Goita describing it as a strategic tool to break disinformation campaigns and hostile narratives targeting our states."

Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and launched a 5,000-strong FU-AES unified battalion to fight groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL. The three militaries have expelled French and US forces and sought closer ties with Russia to advance regional sovereignty. Leaders pledged deeper security and economic integration and announced large-scale joint operations against armed groups. Niger's General Omar Tchiani declared an end to occupation forces, while Captain Ibrahim Traore warned of a looming 'Black Winter' of external threats, violence and economic pressure. The AES also launched AES Television to counter disinformation and hostile narratives.

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