"When Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger launched the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023, it was conceived as a military defense pact between the junta-led countries to combat jihadist groups and uphold national sovereignty. The alliance has since expanded its ambitions to include political and economic integration. But two years on, the gap between expectations and reality appears wide: economic conditions remain fragile, and for many citizens, daily life has seen little improvement."
""Since the creation of this so-called AES, Niger has been the loser," Issa says. "We sell our oil to Mali and Burkina Faso at half the domestic price yet when we sever diplomatic ties or expel NGOs, our AES partners continue to work with them as usual." He also highlights military imbalances: "Nigerien soldiers have repeatedly defended Malian or Burkinabe territory, but nothing has come back from these countries.""
The Alliance of Sahel States formed in September 2023 as a military defense pact among junta-led Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to fight jihadist groups and defend sovereignty. The alliance expanded aims to political and economic integration but has achieved limited progress. Economic conditions in member countries remain fragile, and many citizens report no daily improvement. Insecurity has escalated, especially in Mali and Burkina Faso where large rural areas lie beyond government control. Niger remains tense despite official claims of progress. Critics in Niger allege unequal economic exchanges and military burdens, while some activists retain cautious optimism.
Read at www.dw.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]