According to the transitional president of Mali, Colonel Asimi Goit, the objective of the alliance is to create an architecture of collective defense and mutual assistance, La Libre reports. The Charter establishes that any attack on the sovereignty and integrity of the territory of one or more contracting parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties and entails the duty of assistance and aid to all parties individually or collectively, including the use of armed force. . restore and guarantee security in the territory controlled by AES.
“This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts of the three countries,” Malian Defense Minister Abdoulaye Diop told reporters. “Our priority is to fight terrorism in all three countries,” he added. The Liptako-Gourma region, bordering Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has been the target of jihadist attacks in recent years.
Following the military takeover of power in Niger on July 26, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said military authorities must “immediately restore constitutional order” by freeing ousted president Mohamed Bazoum and restoring him to office.
The West African organization has repeatedly threatened armed intervention and imposed harsh economic sanctions against Niger. However, neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali believe that a military operation against Niger would be an “illegal and senseless aggression” and have promised an “immediate response” to any aggression.
The military regime in power in Niger announced on Thursday night the suspension of all activities of international organizations, non-governmental organizations and UN agencies in military “operational zones” due to the “current security situation” . For their part, Burkina Faso authorities announced on Friday that they were expelling the military attaché of the French embassy from the country. He is accused of carrying out “subversive activities.”
