"After two military coups in 2020 and 2021, the country severed ties with its former colonial ruler, France, expelled French forces, pushed out the United Nations peacekeeping mission, and redrew its alliances Alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, now also ruled by military governments backed by Russian mercenaries, it formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023. Together, the regional grouping withdrew from the wider Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, accusing it of serving foreign interests rather than African ones."
"Leaders of the three countries inaugurated a new Sahel Investment and Development Bank meant to finance infrastructure projects without reliance on Western lenders; a new television channel built around a shared narrative and presented as giving voice to the people of the Sahel; and a joint military force intended to operate across borders against armed groups. It was a moment to celebrate achievements more than to sign new agreements."
Mali experienced two military coups in 2020 and 2021 and severed ties with France, expelling French forces and pushing out the UN peacekeeping mission. Alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, now governed by military regimes supported by Russian mercenaries, Mali formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023 and withdrew from ECOWAS, accusing it of serving foreign interests. AES leaders convened in Bamako for a confederal summit and inaugurated a Sahel Investment and Development Bank to finance infrastructure without Western lenders, launched a shared television channel, and created a joint cross-border military force to confront armed groups.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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