Latest news with #AllianceofSahelStates
Russia Today
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Moscow backs defense deal with African state
The Russian government has approved a draft law to ratify a military cooperation agreement with Togo, TASS reported on Tuesday, citing meeting documents. The decision by the government commission on legislative activity comes as Moscow deepens defense ties in West Africa, where French influence has waned in recent years. The deal includes provisions for joint military training and exercises, Vladimir Gruzdev, a member of the commission and chairman of the Board of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, told the agency. According to Gruzdev, the pact also provides for emergency medical assistance between the Russian and Togolese militaries. He described Togo as a strategically positioned partner, calling it the most 'organized and equipped' country in Tropical Africa. 'For example, the busiest seaport in the West African region is located on its territory,' he stated. Moscow has stepped up its military engagement in Africa in recent years, with President Vladimir Putin saying last November that several countries across the continent are increasingly seeking its security support. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger—Togo's West African neighbors—have severed defense ties with former colonial power France and expelled French troops over alleged aggression and their failure to contain surging jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region. The three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and turned to Russia – praised by their leaders as a reliable partner – for security cooperation to counter militant violence that has claimed an estimated 10,400 lives in the region in 2024. Togo is increasingly facing cross-border violence, with 10 attacks and 52 deaths recorded in 2024 – the highest since records began, according to the Global Terrorism Index. Last July, around 100 fighters from the al Qaeda-linked Group for Support of Islam and Muslims launched a large-scale attack on a military post near the Burkina Faso border, reportedly killing a dozen Togolese soldiers. In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's support for the AES bloc, affirming that Russia is ready to help strengthen the joint Sahel forces, boost the combat readiness of each country's military, and assist in training armed forces and law enforcement personnel.
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
A US think tank credits Algeria with a role in resolving the Sahara issue
An American think tank with close ties to Israel is lobbying in favor of Algeria's interests under the Trump administration. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, founded in 1985, stated in a recent report that «Algeria can serve as a key U.S. security partner in an increasingly volatile region». In January, Algiers and Washington even signed a military memorandum of understanding. The think tank encourages U.S. officials to «capitalize on Algeria» eagerness to restore its global image as a capable peace broker on the continent. However, that «eagerness» has been met with rejection by Sahel countries. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—united since September 2023 under the Alliance of Sahel States—have strongly denounced what they described as «Algerian interference in their internal affairs». Beyond the instability in the Sahel, the think tank also acknowledges Algeria's «crucial role» in resolving the Western Sahara conflict. «Boosting Algeria's self-perception as a valued partner will be critical given the unprecedented Western alignment behind Morocco's plan to negotiate a resolution to the Western Sahara conflict at the UN Security Council, and what appears to be an irreversible U.S. position of recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the territory». The report suggests that «Algiers might even conceivably play a role in persuading the Polisario to accept a negotiated model of self-governance, with the Moroccan autonomy plan as the starting framework. But this unlikely development would have to be premised on U.S. respect for Algeria». Despite claiming only «observer status» similar to Mauritania, Algeria has officially rejected the most recent UN Security Council resolutions calling for the resumption of the Round Table process, which has been stalled since March 2019. On Thursday, Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its support for a resolution allowing the Sahrawi people «to exercise their inalienable and imprescriptible right to self-determination, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of international legality emanating from the General Assembly or the Security Council». For the record, Algeria hired U.S. lobbying firm BGR Group in September 2024 to defend its interests in Washington. The firm is known for its strong ties to Israel. Notable figures such as John Bolton, a staunch supporter of both the Polisario Front and Israel, the late Republican Senator James Inhofe (who passed away on July 9, 2024), and former UN envoy for Western Sahara James Baker, all voiced support for Algeria's position. In December 2020, all three welcomed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv but simultaneously condemned President Donald Trump's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
French Military Withdraws from Last Base in Senegal
Rabat – The French military handed over its last military base and withdrew its troops on Thursday. This marks the end of a departure process that started in March. France has officially handed over its two remaining military bases in Senegal, leaving the one-time colonial power with no permanent presence in West Africa. The largest Military Camp Geille and the Airfield at Dakar have been officially presented to the Senegalese national armed forces. This final handover was conducted during a ceremony on Thursday, attended by the top French and Senegalese officers, including the West African country's military chief Mbaye Cisse. Cisse said that this withdrawal supports the country's new defence strategy. 'Its primary goal is to affirm the autonomy of the Senegalese armed forces while contributing to peace in the subregion and Africa,' he affirmed. This mutually agreed upon withdrawal is designed to begin a new phase of French–Senegalese bilateral relations, argued General Pascal Innai, head of the French forces. This handover follows a three-month withdrawal process which has taken place since March, with the removal of 350 French military troops from their bases they have controlled since granting their former African colonies independence in 1960. The new Senegalese President who was elected on a substantial mandate in 2024, stated shortly after taking office that having troops and military bases in Senegal was incompatible with national sovereignty. Senegal's new government took a hard line against the presence of French troops, coming within a broader regional backlash against the former colonial nation. France also withdrew earlier this year from its permanent bases in Chad and the Ivory Coast. The governments in the new Alliance of Sahel States have expelled the French both militarily and diplomatically. France will retain a small presence in some of these countries for the purposes of providing defense training and support to national militaries. But whatever form France's presence takes in Africa in the coming years, this withdrawal marks the formal end of Paris's neo-colonialist military presence within the West African region.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
Exclusive: How misunderstanding with countries like France is worsening insecurity in West Africa
The relationship between France and most of West Africa, particularly the nations that comprise the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has changed dramatically in recent years. France's relationship with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger has shifted significantly with these nations moving away from French support towards other allies. French military operations over the years, despite initial acceptance, faced criticism over perceived inefficacy and alleged neocolonial motives. Political instability, including military coups between 2020 and 2023, further strained ties between France and the Sahel nations. Formerly seen as key partners in the war against terrorism in the Sahel, these nations have grown more distant from their former colonial power, opting instead to chart a new course that challenges decades of French military and political dominance in the region. This subject was highlighted by Christophe Ouatarra, Regional Director for East Africa, World Neighbors, during an exclusive with Business Insider Africa. Following the emergence of Islamist insurgencies in the Sahel in the 2010s, France established itself as a crucial security partner for its former colonies. Military actions such as Operation Serval in Mali (2013) and Operation Barkhane (2014–2022) were conducted to combat terrorism and stabilize the area. Although initially welcomed by Sahelian administrations, these missions ultimately lost popularity due to their poor efficacy in quelling violence and rising views of neocolonial intervention. Between 2020 and 2023, the Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, saw a succession of military coups as a result of mounting unrest. In each case, the new military governments showed great mistrust about French motivations and began to shift their focus to other global allies, including Russia, Turkey and China. The junta governments accused France of prolonging the turmoil to legitimize its stay and plunder the region's resources, and thus buttressed resentment, which led to the Sahel countries expelling France's military from their borders. Christophe Ouatarra take on rural development in the Sahel region in the face of insecurity Christophe Ouatarra spoke about the insecurity in the region and how it affects rural development. He asserted that what is going on in the region could pass as a full-scale war, as opposed to a security challenge. 'The difference is that we are in a war. War is very expensive, so that means that the three countries, instead of financing development aspect, they have to finance the war,' he said when asked what the difference between the state of rural development is between AES countries and other West African countries. ' The war is very expensive; they have to buy weapons and other logistics,' he added. When asked about the progress of rural development in spite of what he had described as a war, he noted that there has been some progress in the last year. 'We are working with communities, and provided they let them cultivate their farms, there are good opportunities,' he stated. 'An example is Burkina Faso. Last year, the government bought tractors and fertilizers and deployed the land for farmers for free, and in one year, we noticed an increase in the crop yield, 80% compared to the previous year, and the increase of 21% compared to the 5% last year,' he explained. When asked about how international relationships key into the issue of security, Christophe Ouatarra noted that a lack of understanding from foreign parties has exacerbated a problem that can be handled. He specifically alluded to how some countries have hindered the ability of countries in the Sahel to defend themselves by denying said countries access to arms. 'The problem is to understand what people are facing in the region, not what people are saying about the region. If others can understand our problem without lies, that would help us a lot,' he said. 'For example, when terrorists were attacking the three nations, they (AES countries) wanted to buy arms to defend the population, but at the international level, they were blocked,' Christophe Ouatarra stated. He went on to elaborate on the issue, explaining; 'The governments wanted to buy weapons in order to protect the population, but at the international level, there was a breakdown, which means we are not understanding the problem in the same way. When asked for examples of countries that don't understand what the AES region is going through, Do Outarra stated; "I think you may have heard this in the media, even our president said that they ordered weapons and France blocked it, this is not a secret, it's well known in the media, our authorities are always talking about that.' The interview concluded with his thoughts on the growing popularity of Ibrahim Traore, the current Junta leader of Burkina Faso and in his opinion, Ibrahim Traore is loved because he seems like a leader that cares. 'What I can say is that the population really wants someone who cares for them, who is here to solve the problem, when they know you are here, not for your own interest, but for the well-being of the whole population, they will support you,' he stated.
Al-Ahram Weekly
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Mali junta chief approves law giving him unlimited mandate - Africa
Mali's junta chief has granted himself a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without election, in a law made public Thursday. General Assimi Goita's approval of the measure had been widely expected for several days, and comes after the country's military-appointed legislative body passed the bill last week. The law, which was leaked to the public after being signed by Goita Tuesday, allows him to lead the west African country until at least 2030, despite the military government's initial pledge to return to civilian rule in March 2024. It is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedoms by Mali's military leadership to consolidate its power in the jihadist-hit Sahelian nation. The country's cabinet, the Council of Ministers, had already adopted the measure last month. Under the law Goita will be able to serve "as head of state for a term of five (05) years, renewable as many times as necessary, until the country is pacified". When Goita took power, he insisted on Mali's commitment to the fight against jihadist violence and initially pledged a return to civilian rule. He was even celebrated in some quarters as a hero who might bring salvation to his troubled west African nation. But he ultimately failed to make good on his promise to cede power to elected civilians, which was to occur by March 2024. Earlier this year, a junta-led national consultation recommended proclaiming Goita president without a vote for the five-year renewable term. The same assembly -- boycotted by most political groups -- also recommended the dissolution of political parties and tougher rules for their creation. Subsequently, the junta announced in May the dissolution of all political parties and organisations, as well as a ban on meetings. The ongoing squeeze on Mali's civic space comes against a backdrop of clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the military. Turning point Goita's rule has marked a turning point in Mali's relationship with the West. The country has broken ties with France and other former allies and pivoted toward Russia. Mali and its junta-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger have formed a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and announced plans for a joint force of 5,000 troops to conduct coordinated military operations. Meanwhile, Russian mercenaries from the Africa Corps, deployed to support the Malian army in tracking jihadist groups, continue to operate across the region. Since 2012, Mali has been engulfed in violence by jihadist factions linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, along with other armed groups and criminal networks. Those attacks have only intensified in recent weeks. Despite Mali's multifaceted tumult, Goita remains popular with a segment of the population, which views him as an architect of reform and newfound sovereignty. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
