Burkina Faso Leader Vows to Crackdown on Armed Groups in Sahel
Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, has vowed to intensify efforts to combat armed groups in the Sahel region as part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The AES, a confederation formed by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, aims to strengthen regional security and cooperation against terrorist threats.
The alliance has been increasing transnational coordination to fight terrorist groups, including ISSP and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin. A joint military force of 5,000 personnel is being developed to tackle Islamist groups across the three countries.
Traoré’s government has shifted Burkina Faso’s alliances, expelling French forces and forging closer ties with Russia and other partners. The AES has also cut military relations with Western powers and replaced them with Russian mercenaries, specifically the Wagner Group.
The Sahel region has seen a rise in terrorist threats from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, affecting safety and development. Ghana’s president-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has proposed an initiative to support the AES in combating terrorism, urging neighboring countries and international organizations to address the crisis.
The AES has expressed strong opposition to Ukrainian support of rebels in the Sahel and has called on the United Nations to take action against Ukraine. Mali and Niger have severed diplomatic relations with Ukraine.
