Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

U.S. Troops Out, Russia In: Three African Nations Cut Military Ties

Daniel Kim Views  

Yonhap News

Military leaders from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who took power through coups, have established the union, Confederation of Sahel Nations Union (AES).

According to France 24, President Assimi Goïta of Mali, interim President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, and General Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger announced they had signed a treaty to establish the AES. Last September, they also signed a military pact, the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS).

These three countries in the Sahel region emphasized their intention to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January on the day of the summit. They believe that France manipulates ECOWAS and is more interested in exploiting Africa’s resources than fulfilling its mission for the regional community.

After each country’s coup, the military leader came into power: Mali in August 2021, Burkina Faso in September 2022, and Niger in July 2023.

All three countries ended military cooperation with Western countries, including their former colonial ruler, France. Conversely, they are expanding alliances with Russia. The French military pulled out from Mali in 2022 and left Niger and Burkina Faso last year.

The U.S. also announced to pull U.S. troops from the Niger 101 Air Force Base by the 7th. Furthermore, the U.S. withdrew from a drone base worth $100 million that had been collecting information on local armed groups. Instead, Niger agreed to establish military cooperation with Russia in January of this year. Russian troops are stationed in Burkina Faso.

Al Jazeera questioned whether this pact has aided in reducing violence in the lives of its 72 million residents. It also pointed out these countries’ economic and social crises. Specifically, Mali has a poverty rate of 19%, and its economy is hyper-dependent on agriculture and gold exports.

Daniel Kim
content@viewusglobal.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[WORLD] Latest Stories

  • Porsche Taycan GTS Breaks Guinness Record with 10.9-Mile Ice Drift
  • Sweden Boosts Surveillance in Baltic Sea: Troops, Warships, and Aircraft to Monitor Threats
  • Africa's MPOX Variant Clade 1b Reaches France: Health Officials Take Action
  • LA Wildfires’ Economic Toll Hits $50 Billion, Doubling Early Estimates
  • Real Reason Trump Wants Greenland and the Panama Canal: Geopolitical Dominance
  • Kremlin Watches Trump's Greenland Acquisition Plans as Tensions Rise

You May Also Like

  • 1
    7 Habits That Could Be Draining Your Energy Without You Realizing It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Is Your Fitness Declining? 5 Signs You Need to Start Exercising

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Xiaomi's YU7 Electric SUV Set to Rival Tesla Model Y with 472-Mile Range

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    Toyota RAV4 Soars to Top Spot in U.S. Sales, Surpassing Ford F-150

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kia EV3 Wins Car of the Year at UK’s 2025 DrivingElectric Awards

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Lotus Offers Price Freeze on Emira for 2025 Despite Rising Costs

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Porsche to Cut 1,900 Jobs in Germany by 2029 Amid Slumping Sales

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Tesla’s $400 Million Armored Vehicle Deal with State Department Put on Ice Amid Controversy

    DEBATE 

  • 4
    Nissan and Honda's $60 Billion Merger Plans Go Up in Smoke

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kia Unveils the PV5: The Future of Electric Minivans with Maximum Space and Flexibility

    BUSINESS 

Must-Reads

  • 1
    7 Habits That Could Be Draining Your Energy Without You Realizing It

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 2
    Is Your Fitness Declining? 5 Signs You Need to Start Exercising

    LIFESTYLE 

  • 3
    Xiaomi's YU7 Electric SUV Set to Rival Tesla Model Y with 472-Mile Range

    BUSINESS 

  • 4
    Toyota RAV4 Soars to Top Spot in U.S. Sales, Surpassing Ford F-150

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kia EV3 Wins Car of the Year at UK’s 2025 DrivingElectric Awards

    BUSINESS 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Lotus Offers Price Freeze on Emira for 2025 Despite Rising Costs

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Porsche to Cut 1,900 Jobs in Germany by 2029 Amid Slumping Sales

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Tesla’s $400 Million Armored Vehicle Deal with State Department Put on Ice Amid Controversy

    DEBATE 

  • 4
    Nissan and Honda's $60 Billion Merger Plans Go Up in Smoke

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    Kia Unveils the PV5: The Future of Electric Minivans with Maximum Space and Flexibility

    BUSINESS 

Share it on...