Niger has taken a bold step by reaffirming its alignment with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
On Monday, March 3, General Abdourahamane Tiani, president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) and the country’s current leader, publicly displayed the AES emblem on his uniform during an official ceremony in Niamey.
Joined by government officials, he participated in a flag-raising event where the emblem, affixed to the right sleeve of his attire, underscored Niger’s growing commitment to this emerging regional alliance.
The symbolic gesture comes as the AES’s three founding members—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—formalised their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29.
These Sahelian nations, all of them under military rule following coups, are now fast-tracking the operationalisation of their confederation.
Concrete steps already unveiled include the establishment of a joint military force of 5,000 troops to combat the region’s security threats, particularly jihadist groups.
On the political front, the rollout of a shared passport and flag has been confirmed, reflecting their intent on forging a unified entity outside of ECOWAS.
AC/ac/sf/lb/as/APA