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Alliance of Sahel States (AES)

Sahel Alliance Unveils New Flag; Moves Toward Greater Integration

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), that includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has taken another decisive step toward regional integration following its recent withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). On February 22, the new flag was unveiled and symbolizes the bloc’s growing autonomy as it seeks to redefine its political, economic, and security structures outside the influence of French imperialism and Western neoliberal frameworks. The new flag showcases the AES logo: an orange sun radiating over a sturdy baobab tree. Beneath the tree, a group of silhouetted figures gathers, symbolizing unity.

Sahel States Exit ECOWAS, Launch Regional Passport And Joint Military

Just a year ago, on January 28, 2024, the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger publicly declared their intent to withdraw from the regional economic bloc. This announcement was a historic point in the Sahel’s political shift, as the three countries continue to push for sovereignty, regional security, and economic autonomy. The withdrawal took effect on January 29, 2025, as confirmed by ECOWAS. On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, came alive with celebration as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) marked the first anniversary of their historic decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

A New Military Strategy Of French Neo-Colonialism In Africa

In his New Year’s address, Alassane Ouattara, president of Ivory Coast since 2010 when he took power with the aid of a French military intervention, announced “we have decided on the coordinated and organized withdrawal of French forces” from the country. However, his address made no mention of terminating the 1961 military agreements with France. These “agreements are at the root of the problem. As long as these agreements exist, France will be able to use them to carry out military maneuvers or intervene at the request of its servants in power in Ivory Coast,” General Secretary of the Revolutionary Communist Party of Ivory Coast (PCRCI), Achy Ekissi, told Peoples Dispatch.

What’s Happening In Niger?

“Homeland or death, we will win.” This sign stands in the Place de la Patrie, one of the cradles of the popular struggle against France in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Today, it serves as a meeting point where people gather, chat, and watch the movement on Boulevard Zarmaganda, home to the headquarters of the first popular committee supporting the Nigerien army. “It used to be called Place de la Francophonie. Today, it’s Place de la Patrie because this is the birthplace of the patriotic struggle for complete national sovereignty. A week after the coup d’état, we moved here.

Africa And Russia: The Anti-Imperialist Partnership For Our Future

Neo-colonial governments have been toppled in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger (henceforth “the Alliance of Sahel States”). Revolutionary governments, backed by popular movements, have seized power and resurrected the flame of revolution in Africa. From the outbreaks of the rebellions that toppled neo-colonialism to today, it is common to see the people raising Russian flags along their national flags. For Africans, Russia represents a win-win cooperation and a partner against Western hegemony. Despite Western media’s desperate strategy to paint Russia as an imperial power and a colonial force that Africans should be wary of, a thorough study of history and a proper understanding of imperialism demonstrates that Russia has never been an imperialist or a colonial force in Africa, nor is it now.

Anti-Imperialism And The Tricontinental Vocation

Radical economist Samir Amin understood well that revolutionary offensives against the imperialism of the triad (USA, EU, and Japan) will come from the tricontinental sphere of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The peripheries of the world-system are where the contradictions of capitalist-imperialism are the most heightened, and where the fissures can be exploited. According to Amin, we must analyze social struggles at three levels: the popular classes, nations, and states. This essay seeks to validate Amin’s argument by highlighting the anti-imperialist victories in the tricontinental sphere, while also providing a dose of hope and vitality against the defeatist attitude present in much of the US left since the victory of Trump, the Zionist massacres across West Asia, and the renewed attempts by imperialism to dismantle anti-systemic movements and States.

Delegation From Alliance Of Sahel States Visits Cuba

From November 8 to 15, twelve people from the countries of the Sahel visited Cuba to meet with Cuban people who carry forward the revolutionary project, and learn about Cuba’s socialist model and deep friendship with the peoples of Africa. The delegation sought to learn lessons from Cuba’s decades-long revolution to help advance the new revolutions being constructed in the Sahel. This was the first delegation of Africans traveling to Cuba from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a Pan-African anti-imperialist confederation consisting of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Chad And Senegal To Follow The Sahel States

Dakar — Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said on Thursday that the presence of French military bases on Senegalese territory is “not compatible” with the sovereignty his administration upholds. “Senegal is an independent country, it is a sovereign country, and sovereignty is not compatible with the presence of military bases in a sovereign country,” he said in an interview with the AFP news agency, addressing relations between Senegal and France, particularly regarding the French military presence and bases in the West African country.

Imperialism And The Destabilization Of The Alliance Of Sahel States

Since the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, during 2023, the governments of France and the United States along with their surrogates have sought to undermine the political and economic objectives of these developing nations. When the military Committee for the Safeguard of Our Homeland (CNSP) took power in Niger last year on July 26, Paris and Washington sought to have members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stage a military intervention into this uranium-rich country to reimpose the French and U.S.-backed ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

People Of Sahel Inspire Global Movement Against Imperialism

Shouts of “Free, Free Palestine” and “Down with Imperialism” rang through the streets of Niamey as anti-imperialists from Niger and around the world marched together against Israel’s genocide on Thursday, November 21. The march culminating in the landmark Thomas Sanakra Memorial came at the conclusion of the three-day Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel, organized by the Pan-Africanism Today Secretariat and the West African People’s Organization. The march was no symbolic event. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have been in the frontlines of the struggle against imperialism over the past few years.

Imperialism And The Destabilization Of The Alliance Of Sahel States

Since the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, during 2023, the governments of France and the United States along with their surrogates have sought to undermine the political and economic objectives of these developing nations. When the military Committee for the Safeguard of Our Homeland (CNSP) took power in Niger last year on July 26, Paris and Washington sought to have members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stage a military intervention into this uranium-rich country to reimpose the French and U.S.-backed ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Niger Hosts Historic Conference On The Fight Against Neocolonialism

Delegates from the popular movements, labor unions, peasant organizations, and left parties in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US have arrived in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to attend the “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel” from November 19 to 21. The Pan Africanism Today Secretariat (PAT) and the West Africa People’s Organization (WAPO) have organized this conference “For Anti-Imperialist Unity, Peace, and Friendship between Peoples”, at the time of a critical breakthrough against Francafrique in Sahelian West Africa. Amid a wave of mass protests against the continued stranglehold of France over its former colonies, popularly supported military coups in Mali in 2020 and 2021, in Burkina Faso in 2022, and in Niger in 2023 swept away the regimes domestically perceived as subservient to France.

Niger Resists In The Crosshairs Of Sanctions And Climate Catastrophe

In the aftermath of devastation left behind in the wake of unprecedented floods, Nigeriens are rebuilding their livelihoods and economy with the help of the several relief measures instituted by the government to drastically cut prices of essential commodities and services. The Sahel-wide flooding between June and October has exacted a particularly high toll on the people of Niger, destroying crops, cattle, houses and infrastructure in one of the world’s poorest countries whose economy had already been strangled by the seven month-long sanctions.

Niger To Host Conference In Solidarity With The Sahel

This November, Niger is opening its doors to voices from across Africa and beyond, in a show of solidarity with the people of the Sahel, as they face one of the region’s most dynamic periods. From November 19 to 21, Niger’s capital, Niamey, will host the “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel,” a three-day event dedicated to addressing the urgent struggles and aspirations of the Sahelian people. Set in the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center, the conference will bring together activists, political leaders, union representatives, and members of social movements and Pan-African communities from around the world.

AES First Summit: Burkina Faso President Delivers Historic Speech

On 6th July 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger officially created the Alliance of Sahel States Confederation. In this historic address, Captain Ibrahim Traoré delivers a powerful and inspiring speech at the 1st Summit of Heads of State of AES (African Economic and Security) Member Countries With a focus on unity, economic cooperation, and regional security, Captain Traoré emphasizes the importance of collaboration among member states to foster sustainable development and stability across the continent. His speech highlights key initiatives and strategies to enhance economic growth, strengthen security measures, and promote peace and prosperity within the AES region.