Sahel Alliance Nations Place Forces on Maximum Alert Amid Foreign Interference Claims and Terrorist Resurgence

Sahel Alliance Declares Maximum Alert

The member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – have placed their national defense and security forces on 'maximum alert.' The decision was formalized in a joint statement issued on December 7, 2025, signed by Interim President of Mali and Chairman of the Sahel Alliance, Assimi Goïta. This heightened state of readiness is a direct response to what the alliance describes as 'deceiving maneuvers' by external actors and the significant reorganization of terrorist groups within the region.

Accusations of Foreign Interference and Destabilization

The joint statement from the AES leaders explicitly accused a 'French junta' of engaging in 'deceiving maneuvers,' alleging that France is replacing its military bases with 'less visible mechanisms' to pursue 'neo-colonial goals.' Furthermore, the alliance highlighted that these actions are accompanied by the reorganization and regrouping of terrorist groups across the Lake Chad basin, the wider Sahel, and critical border areas, including those between Niger and Nigeria, Niger and Benin, and Niger and Burkina Faso. The statement asserted that these terrorist groups are receiving 'various support from foreign states, including funds and equipment, intended for destabilization of the Sahel Alliance.'

The Genesis and Objectives of the Alliance of Sahel States

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was initially established on September 16, 2023, through the Liptako-Gourma Charter, forming a mutual defense pact. It later evolved into a formal confederation on July 6, 2024. The alliance comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all currently governed by military juntas that came to power following coups in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. The primary objectives of the AES include:

• Mutual Defense and Assistance: Member states commit to aiding each other in the event of an attack on their sovereignty.
• Counter-Terrorism and Security: Prioritizing the fight against terrorist threats in the Sahel region.
• Prevention and Settlement of Armed Rebellions: Aiming to resolve internal armed conflicts.
• Economic and Political Emancipation: Seeking to promote development and independence.

The AES nations formally withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 29, 2025, citing a perceived lack of support in combating terrorism and opposition to ECOWAS's threat of military intervention in Niger.

Evolving Security Landscape and Regional Strategy

The Sahel region continues to grapple with a persistent jihadist insurgency, with groups like Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State Sahel Province (IS Sahel) remaining highly active. In response to these escalating threats, the AES has declared its territory a 'single theater of military operation' to enhance coordinated efforts. The alliance has also diversified its international partnerships, notably aligning with Russia and inviting Russian security contractors, including elements of the 'Wagner group' or 'Africa Corps,' to assist in counter-terrorism efforts. This strategic shift underscores the AES's determination to assert regional autonomy and address security challenges through collective action.

Call for Vigilance

In light of the heightened alert, the AES leadership has urged the populations of its member states to 'redouble their vigilance,' report any suspicious activities to security forces, and reject any proposals to join terrorist groups. This call emphasizes the comprehensive approach the alliance is taking to bolster security and stability in a volatile region.