Keypoints:
- AES accuses EU of ‘interference’ in Niger
- Bloc defends post-coup political trajectory
- EU demands Bazoum’s release, constitutional order
THE Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has sharply criticised a European Parliament resolution on Niger, condemning it as an attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of a sovereign country.
In a statement broadcast on Burkina Faso’s state television on Thursday, the bloc — made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — said the resolution amounted to ‘serious, concerted and deliberate interference’ over the continued detention of former Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum following the July 2023 coup.
Rising tensions between Sahel and Europe
The dispute reflects deepening tensions between the Sahel’s military-led governments and European institutions following a wave of coups across the region. At the centre is Niger’s political transition after the 2023 military takeover, which has become a flashpoint in broader disagreements over sovereignty, governance and external influence.
The diplomatic rift comes amid wider instability across West Africa, including security threats and governance challenges highlighted in recent reporting on organised crime networks in the region, reinforcing the complex environment in which the AES bloc is asserting its authority.
AES accuses EU of selective outrage
The AES said the European Parliament had demonstrated ‘malicious and ill-timed selectivity’ by focusing on Niger while remaining silent on what it described as wider global violations of international law.
The bloc also pointed to the prolonged security crisis in the Sahel, arguing that European actors had failed to adequately address the region’s decade-long struggle against insurgent violence and instability.
This position echoes earlier reactions from Niger’s authorities, who formally protested the EU resolution and rejected what they described as a ‘paternalistic and condescending attitude’.
Traore dismisses external ‘lessons’
Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, who serves as the rotating president of the AES Confederation, rejected what he described as external attempts to dictate governance standards.
He said the alliance ‘has neither injunctions nor lessons on governance to receive’, adding that critics should instead focus on resolving their own domestic challenges rather than amplifying what he characterised as misinformation about the region.
The statement also framed the AES as part of a broader political shift across the Sahel, where military-led governments are seeking to redefine relations with Western partners.
EU calls for Bazoum’s release
The European Parliament resolution, adopted on March 12, raised concerns over the conditions of Bazoum’s detention following the military takeover in Niger.
Lawmakers said the former president and his wife had been held without full access to legal counsel or family visits. The resolution called for Bazoum’s ‘immediate and unconditional release’ and urged a return to constitutional rule.
The vote passed overwhelmingly, reflecting continued European concern over democratic backsliding in the Sahel and the legal status of Niger’s ousted leadership.
AES signals defiance amid geopolitical shift
In response, the AES said the resolution was ‘completely out of step’ with what it described as a new political, economic and social momentum across its member states.
Formed in July 2024, the alliance marks a strategic pivot by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger away from traditional Western partners, particularly in Europe, and towards stronger regional cooperation and alternative alliances.
This shift aligns with broader economic and political repositioning across the continent, as seen in Africa’s projected economic growth trajectory and changing global partnerships.
Wider regional and global implications
The standoff highlights a broader reconfiguration of political alliances in West Africa, where military-led governments are asserting greater autonomy while challenging Western influence.
For European policymakers, the Sahel remains critical for counterterrorism efforts, migration management and economic engagement. However, relations with the AES bloc have become increasingly strained, raising questions about future cooperation.
As both sides harden their positions, the diplomatic divide between the Sahel alliance and European institutions appears set to widen, with implications for regional stability and international partnerships.
