Chad and Mauritania have announced plans to dissolve the G5 Sahel alliance, following the departure of three founding countries from the anti-jihadist coalition.
The alliance, established in 2014 with Mauritania, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and later fortified with an anti-jihadist force in 2017 with French support, is set to be dissolved.
Burkina Faso and Niger declared their withdrawal from the alliance on Saturday, joining Mali, which made a similar announcement in 2022.
Chad and Mauritania expressed their acknowledgment and respect for the decision of Burkina Faso and Niger to exit the alliance, citing Article 20 of the G5 founding convention, which allows dissolution upon the request of at least three member states.
Despite the absence of a direct call for dissolution from Burkina Faso and Niger in their withdrawal statement, the fate of the alliance had appeared inevitable following Mali’s previous departure.
The joint military efforts within the G5 Sahel have shown minimal effectiveness on the ground, with few coordinated operations and a persistent deterioration in the security situation.
The escalation of violence has led to substantial casualties among civilians and combatants, causing millions to be displaced from their homes. Moreover, the alliance’s existence has contributed to regional political instability, evident in a series of military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, emphasizing their sovereignty, have distanced themselves from France and its European partners, accusing them of exerting excessive influence due to prolonged military deployments in their territories.
This year, these countries have united to support the creation of an Alliance of Sahel States, aiming for closer economic ties and mutual defense assistance.
Last week, the foreign ministers of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso proposed establishing a confederation as part of a larger goal to eventually unite these West African nations within a federation.
Burkina Faso and Niger highlighted their decision to withdraw from all G5 Sahel instances, including the joint force, effective since November 29. They criticized the organization for failing to meet its objectives, hindering their aspirations for a secure and developed Sahel due to bureaucratic constraints.
They emphasized that the alliance shouldn’t serve foreign interests or undermine the sovereignty of their people.
Additionally, Mali has accused the G5 Sahel of being influenced by an external state, further complicating the alliance’s effectiveness.
