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Sahel States Unite Forces, Deepen Ties with Russia Amid Security Crisis

Bamako, Mali – Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have announced the formation of a joint military battalion to combat escalating threats from armed groups across the Sahel region. The move, unveiled at the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) summit in Bamako, signifies a deepening of cooperation between the three nations as they grapple with rising attacks from separatist movements and groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

The joint battalion, expected to comprise approximately 5,000 soldiers, will focus on counterterrorism and border security operations. Burkina Faso leader Ibrahim Traore, who heads the alliance, announced plans for “large-scale” joint operations in the coming days. The AES also launched its own television channel, AES Television, to combat disinformation and promote the region’s perspective.

This increased military cooperation comes as the three countries have severed ties with former Western security partners, including France and the United States, and have turned to Russia for support. Niger leader General Omar Tchiani emphasized the AES’s desire to end foreign interference, stating, “No country or interest group will decide for our countries any more.”

While analysts note that the reliance on Russian forces, including those from the Wagner mercenary group and the Africa Corps, represents a shift away from the West, it hasn’t improved the security situation. Human rights organizations have accused Russian forces of abuses. Some analysts have noted that the Russian mercenaries have helped recapture some territories from Tuareg rebels but struggle with the violent extremist groups.

“Since the Russians arrived in Mali, the security situation has worsened because they don’t distinguish between fighters and civilians,” said Ulf Laessing, Sahel analyst at Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung.

The Sahel region has been plagued by instability for over a decade, with groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the ISIL affiliate in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) operating across borders. The economic impact of the conflict is also taking a toll, with blockades disrupting trade routes and increasing the price of basic goods.

Experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of a purely military solution. “At the end of the day, you need negotiations, you need a political solution … a military force alone might help a bit, but it won’t solve the conflict,” Laessing said. The long-term success of the joint battalion, and the AES’s broader security strategy, remains uncertain in the face of complex challenges.

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