Burkinabe President in Niger for first Sahel Alliance summit
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Niger's military leader Abdourahamane Tiani welcomes Burkina Faso's military-led President Ibrahim Traore at Niamey International Airport.
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Burkina Faso's junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore attends the Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg on July 30, 2023. (AFP)
Burkina Faso's military-led President Ibrahim Traore landed on Friday afternoon in Niger for the inaugural summit between leaders of a new Sahel bloc, AFP reported.
Traore was welcomed at Niamey International Airport by Niger's military leader Abdourahamane Tiani, who ousted civilian President Mohamed Bazoum nearly a year ago.
Tiani will also host Malian Colonel Assimi Goita, who will arrive on Saturday morning.
The Burkinabe presidency stated that Saturday's agenda will focus on "the fight against terrorism" and the "consolidation of cooperation," addressing the deadly insurgencies the three countries face.
Many of Niamey's residents lined the official route to cheer the Burkinabe captain, waving flags of the three nations.
Saturday's summit in Niamey will be the first between the military leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), established in September.
The trio exited the wider Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc in January, accusing it of being manipulated by France and failing to provide adequate support for the fight against terrorism.
ECOWAS leaders will convene at a summit in Nigeria on Sunday to discuss relations with the AES.
In early March, the AES announced joint anti-terrorism efforts, though details were not specified.
The trio has distanced themselves from their former colonial ruler France, expelled French troops, and turned to other partners such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran. They emphasize sovereignty as a guiding principle of their governance and aim to establish a common currency.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have faced deadly insurgencies for years, particularly in the "three borders" zone, where groups linked to the Islamic State (IS) have killed civilians and soldiers in attacks and displaced millions of people.
