Sahel summit: What is the biggest challenge facing the region?

Sahel summit: What is the biggest challenge facing the region? Sahel countries launch a joint battalion to fight armed groups as they boost ties with Russia amid vulnerable security situation. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced the launch of a joint military battalion aimed at fighting armed groups across the Sahel, one of Africa’s poorest and most volatile regions. The initiative was announced at the end of the two-day Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit in the Malian capital, Bamako, as the three countries struggle to improve the security situation amid rising attacks from separatist groups as well as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Is Mali about to fall to an al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group? list 2 of 3 Why al-Qaeda’s Sahel branch is blocking fuel to Mali list 3 of 3 Malian media authorities suspend two French broadcasters This was the group’s second summit since its formation in 2023. Here is what you need to know about the summit and whether the joint battalion will help improve the security situation in the three Sahel countries. What was agreed on? They agreed to launch a joint battalion, which is expected to comprise an estimated 5,000 soldiers from the three countries, with a mandate centred on counterterrorism and border security. Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traore, who was named the head of the alliance, announced “large-scale” joint operations against armed groups in the coming days. Moreover, the three leaders also jointly launched the AES Television, described in official communications as an instrument to counter disinformation and promote the region’s narrative. A Burkinabe presidency statement said the leaders would review implementation reports, adopt decisions to consolidate achievements and address major challenges facing the bloc. General Omar Tchiani , leader of Niger’s military government, said 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. Has the reliance on Russian forces improved the security situation? The military leaders of the three nations in recent years kicked out longtime security partners France and the United States. Thousands of French soldiers were stationed in several African nations, including the three Sahel countries, while Niger hosted nearly 1,000 US soldiers and was the site of the largest drone base in Africa. US forces withdrew from Niger last year. After snapping ties with their Western partners, the military leaders from the Sahel countries turned to Russia amid an increasingly vulnerable security situation. Bamako is now collaborating with Russian forces, with about 1,500 personnel from the Wagner mercenary group initially, and since June, roughly 1,000 fighters from the Kremlin-controlled paramilitary group Africa Corps. Russian soldiers are also present, though in smaller numbers, in Burkina Faso and Niger. On the apparent contradiction of allowing Russian mercenaries to operate on their soil while claiming independence from foreign influence, analyst Ulf Laessing says it is a message from the military-run nations to...

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