IN a landmark agreement, the junta-led nations of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have announced the formation of a collaborative joint force aimed at addressing security challenges across their territories. The announcement came from Niger’s armed forces chief, Moussa Salaou Barmou, following a meeting with counterparts from the respective countries.
‘The establishment of this joint force underscores our collective commitment to combating the security threats that have plagued our region,’ stated Barmou in a televised address.
The decision to create this joint force is the latest step in a series of efforts aimed at fostering closer cooperation among the three neighbouring countries in West Africa’s central Sahel region. This initiative follows their decision to sever military ties with longstanding allies, including France, and establish the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Barmou emphasised that the new task force would be operational at the earliest to effectively tackle the prevailing security challenges. However, specific details regarding the size and scope of the force were not provided.
‘The joint force will be operational as soon as possible to meet the security challenges,’ Barmou affirmed.
The central Sahel region has been grappling with escalating violence fuelled by a decade-long conflict with Islamist groups associated with Al Qaeda and Islamic State. The situation has further deteriorated following military takeovers in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali between 2020 and 2023.
‘The formation of this joint force reflects our determination to address the security threats that have ravaged our region,’ remarked a military representative from Burkina Faso.
According to reports from the US-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED, conflict-related fatalities in the central Sahel surged by 38 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, with Burkina Faso witnessing a particularly alarming toll, reporting over 8,000 deaths last year alone.
As security concerns continue to mount in the region, the establishment of this joint force signals a concerted effort by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to confront the escalating threats and bolster stability in the central Sahel.