West Africa: What if ECOWAS drew inspiration from the AES to build a united coalition capable of eradicating terrorism?
Since President Ibrahim Traoré’s rise to power in Burkina Faso and the formation of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) with his Malian and Nigerien counterparts, the fight against terrorism in the region has taken a decisive turn. Unlike ECOWAS, which has been criticized for its inefficiency in tackling this scourge, the AES has managed to establish a military cooperation that is yielding results.
Under previous regimes in Burkina Faso, terrorist attacks frequently devastated villages, sometimes causing over 150 civilian deaths. Today, these tragedies are a thing of the past. Terrorists, relentlessly hunted down, no longer have safe havens, and the AES armed forces easily cross borders to neutralize them.
This dynamic is based on an unprecedented synergy between the armed forces of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These armies collaborate effectively, sharing intelligence and strategies, and conducting coordinated cross-border operations. This model of regional cooperation has proven to be effective where ECOWAS initiatives have failed. The results are tangible; regions once abandoned to armed groups are gradually being secured, and populations are regaining trust in their leaders.
If all ECOWAS countries followed the example of the AES, a united and determined regional coalition could eliminate terrorism in the sub-region. However, imperialist forces and their local allies, fearing the loss of influence, continue to create obstacles to hinder this progress. Despite these challenges, the AES remains a beacon of resilience and leadership in the pursuit of peace and security in the Sahel.
