Name: Could the new AES Unified Force stamp out terror in the Sahel?
Uploaded: 2025-12-23T11:12:44.401Z
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have created a joint military force to combat terrorism. But there are questions about how the Alliance of Sahel States trio will fund it.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have created a joint military force to combat terrorism. But there are questions about how the Alliance of Sahel States trio will fund it.

Bamako

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has introduced a unified military force to tackle the persistent threat of terrorism in the Sahel region. The new force, consisting of 5,000 personnel, will combine air defense, ground troops, and intelligence services under the leadership of General Daoud Atrari and will be headquartered in Niamey.

Funding for the force remains a challenge, with Niger receiving Iranian support while Mali and Burkina Faso currently lack external funding sources. Experts anticipate that partners like Russia and Iran may contribute resources. The effectiveness of the force will depend on the coordination among the three militaries and the successful mobilization of resources.

Could the new AES Unified Force stamp out terror in the Sahel?

The Alliance of Sahel States, AES, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, has unveiled a new joint military force aimed at fighting terrorism in the region. The 5,000-member unified force will integrate air defense, ground troops, and intelligence services. It will be led by Burkina Bay General Daoud Atrari and headquartered in Niamey. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso face threats from extremist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State. It's one step on the AES's three-point agenda of defense, diplomacy, and development. What about the funding? The engagement, the commitment is to mobilize the resource funds for this new forces. And if you look, they have not, they can not. Because Niger has Iranian, Mali and Burkina Faso has none. Experts also believe AES partners like Russia and Iran will make contributions. The success of the unified force will also depend on how three militaries operate in conjunction with each other. Could the new AES unified force stamp out terror in the Sahel?

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