Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — July 22, 2026 In a pivotal move to combat the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Sahel region, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have announced the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This new alliance, encompassing a population of 72 million, aims to bolster regional cooperation and defense against the pervasive threat of jihadist violence.
The AES is a response to the multifaceted crisis that plagues the Sahel, marked by intense competition for resources, climate change, rapid population growth, high poverty levels, and the lack of economic opportunities.
The alliance seeks to address these challenges through coordinated efforts and shared strategies.
The crisis has led to significant displacement within the region, with over 3. 3 million people displaced as of April 2025, including 2. 67 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 645,214 refugees.
In Burkina Faso alone, 81% of the displaced population consists of IDPs, totaling 2,062,534 individuals.
The formation of the AES is seen as a strategic response to the growing threat of jihadist groups in the region.
The military juntas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso signed a treaty of confederation on July 6, 2024, creating the AES.
The leaders of the AES have vowed to crack down on armed groups in the Sahel, which has been addressing political upheaval and armed violence.
The new pact marks a significant shift away from traditional regional and Western allies, as the three countries seek to establish an economic and security alliance independent of external influence. This move has also sparked a rebuff of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which suspended the three countries following their respective military takeovers.
As the AES moves forward, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.
The success of the alliance will hinge on its ability to coordinate effectively and mobilize the necessary resources to meet the needs of the affected populations.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: International Organization for Migration
