The military regimes of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso has signaled their split from the rest of West Africa, with Niger’s ruling general saying the junta-led countries have “turned their backs on” the regional bloc.
According to AFP reports, the Junta Leaders convened in Niamey for the inaugural Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit on Saturday, July 6.
Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani declares that their nations have “irrevocably turned their backs on” the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The three countries formed a mutual defense pact in September and exited ECOWAS in January, citing perceived French manipulation and inadequate support against jihadist forces
Tiani praises AES as the sole effective sub-regional grouping combatting terrorism, while criticizing ECOWAS for its inaction
The trio has expelled French troops and seeks partnership with Russia, Turkey, and Iran
The AES summit focuses on consolidating cooperation and combating terrorism, as ECOWAS prepares to address the situation at its own summit in Abuja.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS is due to hold a summit of its heads of state in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Sunday, where the issue of relations with the AES will be on the agenda.
