The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has announced the formation of a joint military force consisting of 5,000 men.
According to General Mody, the joint force will be equipped with air, land, and intelligence resources, enabling it to operate effectively throughout the territories of the three member nations. He described the alliance as a "passport to security" for the Sahel region, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in countering shared threats.
The force is expected to become operational within weeks.
The establishment of this joint force comes in the context of heightened concerns over the expansion of terrorist activity in Africa. Reports indicate a sharp increase in attacks and fatalities across the continent, with the Sahel region emerging as a global epicenter for terrorism.
Statistics presented during a UN Security Council meeting chaired by Algeria revealed a 400% increase in terrorist attacks in Africa over the last decade, with the Sahel accounting for 48% of terrorism-related deaths worldwide in 2024.
General Mody highlighted the role of the AES joint force in addressing these challenges, noting the need for a coordinated approach that leverages the strengths and resources of each member nation. He emphasized that this initiative represents a departure from reliance on external forces, focusing instead on regional autonomy and collaboration. The defense strategy incorporates air and ground operations, as well as intelligence gathering, to combat criminal groups and extremist organizations operating in the region.
The AES joint force also underscores broader efforts to reshape military cooperation and security strategies in the Sahel.
Niger, for instance, has recently reoriented its defense partnerships, moving away from traditional alliances with Western nations and strengthening ties with countries such as Russia, China, Turkey, and Egypt. General Mody described this shift as part of a larger vision to ensure that security decisions align with the region’s strategic interests.