Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.
Maduro: It’s time to make a choice, either stand with the warmongers who want death and violence, or stand with life.
Maduro: They want our wealth. This is not about drug trafficking, and they know it.
Maduro: Everyone in the world knows that what the economic elite ruling the United States seeks today is Venezuela’s oil, gas, and gold.

Sahel nations form regional alliance, US begin to withdraw from Niger

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 May 2024 18:14
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

Since Friday, West Africa has seen a number of agreements and decisions implemented, ushering in a new era for the continent.

  • x
  • Sahel nations form regional alliance, US begin to withdraw from Niger
    Burkina Faso's Captain Ibrahim Traore, left, and Mali's Colonel Assimi Goïta are pictured together in a photo published on the official X account of Traore on November 14, 2023. (X/@CapitaineIb226)

The governing bodies of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have finalized plans to form a confederation after all three nations overthrew Western-allied governments in the past three years. 

A triad of foreign ministers met on Friday in Niamey, Niger, to formally agree on a text establishing the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), marking a critical turn of events in West African history, following decades of European colonialism that was succeeded by neocolonial control over these countries' natural resources and finances. 

"The objective was to finalize the draft text relating to the institutionalization and operationalization of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)", Niger's Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangare said as he read out the final statement of the meeting.

The text will be adopted by the heads of states of three partner nations at a summit that will be held at a later time. 

"We can consider very clearly, today, that the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has been born," Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said after meeting General Abdourahamane Tiani, the Nigerien President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland.

Burkina Faso's Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore was also present at the meeting. 

The three countries have made strides in reinforcing military cooperation quickly after former Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in late July 2023. 

Liptako–Gourma, a tri-border area shared by the three countries, has been a hub for terrorism that France and other Western nations and entities have taken advantage of to increase their military presence in West Africa. Although countries like France promised to abolish regional terrorism, they failed to do so, prompting military leaders to take matters into their own hands. 

Related News

US signs $80bln nuclear partnership to power next-gen AI systems

International student numbers drop sharply under Trump administration

Read more: Senegal's PM questions French military presence, monetary control

American and European forces showed the door

Niger, US sign disengagement agreement

In concurrence, the United States forces have begun to withdraw from Niger after months of talks and public pressure led to a disengagement agreement between Washington and Niamey. 

The withdrawal process began on Sunday and will be over by September 15 "at the latest," a joint statement read.

After reaching a disengagement agreement, US forces deployed under the pretext of an anti-terrorism mission will begin to leave the country after their presence was deemed "illegal". Officials from the US Department of Defense and their Nigerien counterparts held several talks for the past week in Niamey before the agreement was finalized. 

The US currently has 650 troops deployed in a major Air Base near Agadez in the northern part of the country. This is the second military force whose withdrawal has been secured by Niamey's government, following the withdrawal of French troops earlier.

European Union troops end deployment in Mali 

In neighboring Mali, the European Union's military training mission announced earlier on Friday that it had officially ended its 11-year presence in the country, following the bloc's decision not to renew its mandate in early May.

On paper, the European Union Training Mission (EUTM), established in 2013, allegedly aimed to train and advise Mali's armed forces in response to a surge in terrorism. Initially comprising up to 700 soldiers from around 20 European countries, the mission's numbers dwindled as the region's political landscape was overhauled. In early May, the EU opted not to extend the mission's mandate due to "developments in the political and security situation" in Mali, as stated by the European Commission.

With the withdrawal of Western forces and the formation of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), West Africa's influence in global geopolitics is becoming increasingly pronounced. The region's assertive stance against neocolonialism and its strategic realignments reflect a broader shift in the global power balance, ushering in a new era for the African continent. 

Read more: Presidential elections launch in Chad for first time since coup

  • United States
  • Burkina Faso
  • Sahel Alliance
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • AES
  • European Union

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS