GUESTS:  Kim Heller -  Writer, political strategist and commentator

On the 6th and 7th of July, the leaders of the three main countries in Africa’s Sahel region met in Niamey, Niger, to deepen their Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This was the first summit of the three heads of state of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who now constitute the Confederation of the AES. This was not a hasty decision, since it had been in the works since 2023 when the leaders and their associates held meetings in Bamako (Mali), Niamey (Niger), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso); in May 2024, in Niamey, the foreign ministers of the three countries had developed the elements of the Confederation.

There is a straight line that runs from the formation of this Confederation to the pan-African sentiments that shaped the anti-colonial movements in the Sahel over 60 years ago.

The current trend emerged because of the deep frustration in these countries with a host of problems, largely associated with the interventions of France. These frustrations resulted in five coup d’états in the three countries since 2020.

The three leaders of the countries are all products of these coups, although they have drawn in civilian leaders to assist them.