Link to Article: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso Establish Sahel Security Alliance
Three Sahel states sign a defense pact that will be known as the Alliance of Sahel States. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have found themselves in internal struggles for years up to this point. The pact aims to gain control against possible internal and internal attacks. Three is stronger than one. These nations have sworn assistance to each other in times of struggle. Militarily and otherwise. ‘Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracted parties will be considered an aggression against all the parties.’ says the charter. ECOWAS threatened to intervene in the most recent 2020 Niger coup. The other two nations quickly came with a response of their own. This response would have been seen by an ‘action of war’ by the other Sahel government. An attack on one is an attack on all.
With cultural and economic similarities between the nations it only makes sense for there to be good relations between the three of them. Because rebellions have a high likelihood of taking place in these nations, they have a safety net and someone that can lend a hand will prove to be very important. Not to mention the possibility of warding off internal aggression to begin with. With less attention focused on keeping peace within the region there can be more focus put on economics and the journey to be better off financially. Renewable energy is very prominent in the Sahel states with the potential to make them very wealthy and powerful nations. If exploited the rewards could be very beneficial to the well being of the Sahelie citizens. Less resources focused on stopping aggression and possible coups took more attention to renewable energy sources and wealth.
Acting as an intergovernmental organization, igo, there are very possible benefits to be had by all parties involved. Benefits such as stronger economies in an area where strong economies are far and few between. European states are well off by themselves but together as the European Union they have the strongest economy in the world. Having a strong economy and having shared resources between the Sahel states could also bring some unwanted and unwanted attention. The heavy weights such as the United States will seek strong and healthy relations with the Sahelies. With the pact comes big steps toward abolishing internal terror organizations and national security. Although the possibility of being introduced to a high target nationality is much higher. In a hypothetical world where the Sahelie governments ally with the United States the relationship with communist parties such as Russia and China will sour. With the internal power and stability created with the formation of this new igo the door has opened to possible external struggles.