The first summit since their coups that brought them to power was held in Niamey by the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. In January, the neighbors left the regional ECOWAS bloc, claiming that France was interfering.
Saturday, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger's military leaders stated that they would not be joining the West African regional bloc.
In January, the three juntas left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), claiming that the organization was being manipulated by France, the former colonial power.
Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the military leader of Niger, stated that the nearly 50-year-old ECOWAS has become "a threat to our states" at the first gathering of its kind since military coups in all three countries.
The three leaders agreed to strengthen their own alliance, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which was established last year in the midst of strained relationships with neighbors.
Tchiani stated, "[It will be] an AES of the people, rather than an ECOWAS whose directives and instructions are dictated to it by powers that are foreign to Africa."
Capt. Ibrahim Traore, the leader of Burkina Faso, went even further and said that Western nations were exploiting Africa.
"Westerners believe that we and our wealth belong to them as well." They believe they must continue to advise us on what is best for our states. This era has ended for good; Traore stated, "our resources will remain for us and our populations."
Col., the leader of Mali, stated, "The attack on one of us will be an attack on all the other members." Also, Assimi Gota said.
The meeting took place on the eve of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) summit in Nigeria and was held in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
The Islamist insurgency that has been raging in the Sahel region since 2014 was also discussed by the leaders. They said they would work together more to stop the violence.
Tiani declared on Saturday that "the AES is the only effective sub-regional grouping in the fight against terrorism," describing ECOWAS as "conspicuous by its lack of involvement in this fight."
More than 24 million people in the Sahel region required assistance as a result of the Islamist violence.
The trio disbanded the G5 Sahel Joint Force, which was established in December to combat Islamist groups in the region, claiming that France was not supporting anti-jihadist efforts sufficiently.
In July 2023, the junta overthrew Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum and declared that civilian rule would not be restored for three years.
In the case of Mali, civilian rule was last in place in August 2020, before the first of two coups.
In 2022, the elected government of Burkina Faso was overthrown. The country has not been sanctioned, and Captain Ibrahim Traore, who is currently in charge, has allowed elections to take place this summer.
In the meantime, the United States of America announced that it would dismantle all of its forces and equipment from a small base in Niger this weekend. Additionally, fewer than 500 troops will leave an important drone base in August, just in time for the September 15 deadline.
The drone base has played a crucial role in counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, focusing on groups associated with al-Qaida and the so-called Islamic State.
In March, the ruling junta in Niger terminated its agreement with the United States to cooperate militarily.