The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) withdraws from ECOWAS and continues initiatives for independence, regional integration, and defensive cooperation.

The official departure from the West African body on Tuesday comes after Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali last year formed their own alliance, the Confederation of Sahel States.

The military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have posed a major challenge to the bloc’s unity, refusing to heed its call for a transition to civilian rule.

The three Sahelian countries teamed up to form a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as they exit ECOWAS Wednesday.

Nigers minister of interior and public security has called for increased vigilance to deal with the alleged threat France isnbspusing u

NIAMEY, Jan 22 (Reuters) - A joint force of 5,000 troops from military-led neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali will soon deploy in their troubled central Sahel region, Niger's defence chief ...

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso's withdrawal from ECOWAS marks a significant shift in West African politics and trade relations.

Thousands of people rallied on Tuesday in Niger and Burkina Faso in support of the withdrawal of their countries from the Economic

Niger Defence Minister Salifou Mody said the new force would have its own air assets, equipment, and intelligence resources and operate across the territory of the three nations, which have formed a cooperation pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).