Can the Alliance of Sahel States Stop the Advance of Armed Groups?
Leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are once again facing a defining test as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda continue to expand their reach across the Sahel. Meeting in Bamako under the framework of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the three military-led governments are seeking common ground on how to halt a security crisis that has outpaced previous regional and international responses. The stakes are high. Over the past decade, armed groups have steadily exploited weak state presence, porous borders, and local grievances to entrench themselves across large swathes of territory. Despite years of foreign military support, including French and UN-led missions, violence has intensified rather than receded. For the AES leaders, this summit is not just another diplomatic gathering—it is an attempt to redefine how the region confronts insecurity on its own terms. At the core of […]