The Alliance of Sahel States (French: Alliance des États du Sahel, or AES) is not just a military pact; it is a fundamental redrawing of the map of West Africa. Established on September 16, 2023, by the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the alliance was born out of a shared rejection of Western influence and a perceived failure of traditional regional blocs.
1. The Founding: The Liptako-Gourma Charter
The alliance was solidified through the Liptako-Gourma Charter, named after the “tri-state” border region where the three countries meet—a zone that has been the epicenter of jihadist violence.
Key Military Provisions:
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Article 6 (The “NATO” Clause): The charter explicitly states that an attack on the sovereignty or territorial integrity of one member is an attack on all.
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Collective Defense: It mandates mutual assistance, including the use of armed force, to restore security.
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The United Force (FU-AES): In December 2025, the bloc launched a 5,000-member joint military force headquartered in Niamey, Niger, to coordinate counter-terrorism operations without French or UN oversight.
2. Evolution: From Alliance to Confederation
What began as a security pact has rapidly evolved into a political and economic Confederation of Sahel States. This shift represents a total “divorce” from ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States), which the AES leaders accused of being a “puppet” of France.
The Four Pillars of the AES:
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Collective Security: Joint military operations and intelligence sharing.
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Economic Integration: Moving toward a common market and industrialization.
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Financial Sovereignty: Establishing independent financial institutions.
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Cultural Identity: Promoting a “Pan-African” curriculum and social ties.
3. Economic Revolution: Breaking the CFA Franc
The most radical goal of the AES is the pursuit of financial independence from the CFA Franc, a colonial-era currency tied to the French Treasury.
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The AES Investment Bank: In December 2025, the bloc established the Confederal Investment and Development Bank (BCID-AES) with an initial capital of roughly $895 million.
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A New Currency: The leaders have proposed the creation of a new, unified Sahelian currency to replace the CFA Franc, aimed at giving these nations control over their own monetary policy.
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Resource Pooling: The bank is funded by the “sovereign wealth” of the region: gold from Mali and Burkina Faso, and uranium and oil from Niger.
4. Geopolitical Re-Alignment
The AES marks a historic pivot from the West toward the “Global East.”
| Old Partners (Pre-2022) | New Partners (AES Era) |
| France: Former colonial master; provided military (Operation Barkhane). | Russia: Provides military hardware, Wagner/Africa Corps security, and grain. |
| European Union: Provided development aid with democratic “strings” attached. | China: Heavy investment via the Belt and Road Initiative in mines and infrastructure. |
| United States: Focused on drone bases and specialized counter-terror training. | Turkey & Iran: Suppliers of advanced drones (Bayraktar) and technical cooperation. |
5. The Stakes: Success vs. Isolation
The AES is a high-stakes gamble. If it succeeds, it could provide a blueprint for other African nations to reclaim their resources and sovereignty. However, critics point to significant risks:
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Economic Blowback: Leaving ECOWAS means facing new tariffs and losing access to a market of 400 million people.
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Authoritarianism: Human rights groups warn that “sovereignty” is being used as a shield to delay elections and suppress dissent.
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The Security Gap: While they have new weapons, the jihadist insurgency continues to displace millions, and the lack of Western intelligence support remains a challenge.
The Alliance of Sahel States is more than a treaty; it is a “Sankara-style” attempt to prove that landlocked, resource-rich nations can rise on their own terms.