Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso Form New Confederation, Severing Ties with ECOWAS

The Alliance of Sahel States aims to enhance sovereignty and security, rejecting influence from former colonial powers.

The new confederation, Alliance of Sahel States (AES), was formalized at a summit in Niamey, Niger.
The three countries have accused ECOWAS of failing to support them against jihadist insurgencies.
AES plans to establish a common currency and strengthen military cooperation among member states.
ECOWAS has appointed Senegal's President to mediate, but reconciliation seems unlikely in the near term.
The split has significant economic and security implications for the West African region.