The Sahel Alliance is Changing the Rules; Reform and Rebuild

Their boldness in opposition to Western practices and regional presence has reignited freedom chants and Pan-Africanism throughout Africa and the world. The three states, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, experienced chaotic coups that overthrew their respective leaders. The three countries are now under military rule. Burkina Faso is now led by a military junta led by Ibrahim Traoré, while Niger is under the stewardship of General Abdourahamane Tchiani and Assimi Goita in Mali.

Burkina Faso's Traoré, the new Sankara?

Many reports have praised the current Burkina Faso President, Ibrahim Traoré. The majority tout him as the new force in the region, bringing a new form of reawakening, especially in Ouagadougou, the capital city. Several reports indicate that he has survived at least 20 coup attempts.

The 37-year-old came to power through a coup in 2022 when he ousted his fellow military officer, Paul-Henry Sandaogo Damiba. Traoré has been compared to former Burkinabè Pan-African leader Thomas Sankara, who was assassinated in 1987.

Traoré rebuilding Burkina

Traoré has led massive reforms in the West African state, with new infrastructural advancements achieved in recent months. Burkina Faso has seized and nationalized five major gold mining assets, officially transferring them from private ownership to the state-run Société de Participation Minière du Burkina (SOPAMIB) in June 2025. The move includes two active mines and three exploration sites previously controlled by Endeavour Mining and Lilium. As a result, the government's free-carried equity stake in these projects has risen from 10% to 15%.

Several roads are also under construction, signaling a new beginning for a country that had long been underdeveloped and neglected.

Goita's military government changed the rules

Like its neighboring countries, Mali is ruled by an interim President, Assimi Goita. Goita seized power twice following coups in 2020 and 2021. The 41-year-old, who has won the backing of key political allies to be declared president for the next five years, reneged from his promise to hold an election the year following his seizure of power. In May, Amnesty International denounced what it described as a "proposal to dissolve all political parties in Mali." Unlike his counterpart in Burkina Faso, Goita has been facing massive opposition, especially from civil societies, internal political parties and labor unions.

Goita recently banned all political activities until further notice, citing the need to restore public order.

As a result, massive protests from opposition figures and political leaders ensued as they called for a return to constitutional order and an election to install a new leader.

Divorce with the West

Following in Burkina Faso's footsteps, Mali has cut all military cooperation with its traditional Western allies, including the United States, and instead forged a new alliance with Russia for a security partnership in the fight against insurgency.

According to the Associated Press, The High Authority for Communication said in a letter that it was cutting the signal of French channel TV5 Monde after a news anchor remarked that "hundreds of security forces were mobilized to prevent demonstrators from accessing" the Palais de la Culture during a May 3 protest. The authority said this was incorrect and that "the forces of law and order were present at the Palais de la Culture to secure the demonstrators." Since Goita came into power, Russia has increased its military cooperation with Mali. The Kremlin has supplied military equipment while its mercenary outfit Wagner Group has been battling rebels and armed groups on behalf of the Malian government, as well as asserting Russia's interests in the Sahel.

Niger coup and insecurity

Niger military junta took power through a coup on July 26, 2023, to deliver the country from the influence of the West, especially France.

General Abdourahamane Tiani, who previously served as the commander of the presidential guard, was appointed by the governing council to lead Niger on August 1, 2023. Tiani played a key role in the 2023 coup that ousted the 'democratically' elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

The reformist

Tiani has reiterated his primary objectives as a reformist with clear reforms like modernizing the army, stemming corruption and promoting economic growth. Niger withdrew its mining license from French-owned company Orano in 2024 after 50 years of mining Niger's uranium.

Niger, which has one of the largest deposits of uranium in the world, has been plagued by international sanctions, which have left a huge dent in its economy. The West African nation has faced frequent power outages, relying on Nigeria for 71% of its electricity supply. However, the sanctions prompted Nigeria to halt its electricity exports to Niger, plunging the country into a severe power shortage.

The new alliance

Like its Sahel neighbors, Niger has been grappling with relentless attacks from jihadist groups that have transformed the expansive southern stretch of the Sahara Desert into a hub of violent extremism.

To secure their borders, the three countries allied with the Sahel States (AES), a move welcomed by the natives while angering the West and the U.S.

The security alliance also aimed to establish a joint military force to combat insurgency across the three nations. Having cut ties with France and other Western powers, the trio is now collaborating with Russia to support rebuilding their military capabilities.