Burkina's Traoré takes over as chair of AES, calls for 'large-scale' operations against extremists

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s leaders, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, called for large-scale operations following the launch of a 5,000-strong joint battalion against Sahel extremists. Having expelled foreign forces and leaning on Russia, the alliance seeks stronger security and economic cooperation despite coups and sanctions, while experts warn the region’s security challenges remain complex.

The head of the alliance uniting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger declared on Tuesday that the launch of a joint military battalion “must be followed by large-scale operations in the coming days,” signaling a determined push to address the escalating threats posed by armed extremist groups in the region. Burkina Faso’s leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, who has recently been appointed as the new head of the Alliance of Sahel States, did not provide further details about the timing or scope of the planned operations. The alliance, which comprises the three military-led countries, had withdrawn from West Africa’s regional bloc earlier this year and was originally formed in 2023 to address shared security challenges and coordinate regional defense initiatives.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are among the countries most severely affected by the spread of extremist violence, as the vast Sahel region south of the Sahara has become one of the deadliest areas in the world due to insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. All three countries have experienced political instability in recent years, with coups shaking their governments, and their security forces continue to struggle under significant operational and logistical constraints, leaving them ill-equipped to combat the escalating threats alone.
During a summit held on Tuesday, the leaders of the three countries agreed on measures to strengthen both security cooperation and economic ties, reflecting a broader strategy to stabilize the region and foster collaboration beyond immediate military operations. The discussions come shortly after the weekend inauguration of the joint military battalion designed specifically to target extremist groups, which is expected to comprise around 5,000 personnel drawn from the member countries. The establishment of this battalion represents a tangible step in the alliance’s efforts to consolidate military capabilities and enhance operational readiness against armed insurgencies.
Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, emphasized that the alliance has effectively ended the presence of foreign occupation forces within its member states, alluding to the decisions by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger to expel longstanding partners, including France and the United States. “No country or interest group will decide for our countries anymore,” Tchiani asserted, signaling a shift toward self-determined security and political autonomy. In recent developments, all three countries have increasingly looked to Russia as a major security partner, further indicating a realignment of international alliances in the region.
Despite these steps, the security situation in the Sahel remains highly complex and challenging. According to Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel specialist at Morocco’s Policy Center for the New South, defeating extremist groups in the region is “very difficult” regardless of which foreign or regional actors are involved. The entrenched nature of the insurgencies, combined with limited state capacity, poverty, and porous borders, continues to pose formidable obstacles to long-term stabilization.
The second annual summit of the Alliance of Sahel States demonstrates growing collaboration among Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, even in the face of internal tensions, fractured relations, and sanctions imposed by global partners in response to recent coups. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, noted that the alliance enjoys widespread popularity among citizens of the three countries. He emphasized that the alliance is actively trying to maintain momentum by deepening cooperation not only in military operations but also in broader economic and political initiatives. By focusing on both security and development, the member states aim to foster resilience, enhance regional stability, and demonstrate a commitment to self-reliance in addressing the complex challenges posed by extremism in the Sahel.