The ruling military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger ratified their alliance within the framework of a "confederation" at their first summit in the Niger capital, Niamey, a decision that marks their split with the rest of the West African bloc.

The heads of state of the three countries (the military who came to power in a coup d'état) "decided to take another step towards closer integration. To this end, they approved the treaty establishing a confederation between the two called the Confederation of States of the Sahel", the communiqué states.

In January, the three countries announced they were leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which they say is being used as a tool by France, the former colonial power, to break away from, with which they have done much steps The creation of a confederation confirms this separation.

"Our people have irrevocably turned their backs on ECOWAS," said General Abdurahaman Chiani, the head of Niger's military regime, at the opening of the summit attended by the leader of Burkina Faso - Captain Ibrahim Traore and the leader of Mali - Colonel Assimi Goita .

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The three, dressed in military uniforms, arrived at Niamey's conference center at noon for the meeting, which took place under tight security.

Chiani called on the three-nation Sahel defense alliance (ADA) to become "an alternative to any artificial regional alliance by building a sovereign community of peoples, a community that stands apart from the control of foreign powers."

Relations between the three states and ECOWAS deteriorated significantly after the July 26, 2023 coup that brought General Chiani to power.

At the time, ECOWAS imposed heavy economic sanctions on Niger and threatened to intervene militarily to restore ousted president Mohammed Bazoum to his post.

In February, the sanctions were lifted, but relations between the two camps remain frosty.

A meeting of the heads of state of the ECOWAS countries is scheduled for tomorrow in the capital of Nigeria, Abuja, on the agenda of which is the issue of relations with the ADA.

In March, ADA countries formed a joint force to fight jihadists who regularly attack their territories.

Today, they also expressed a desire to "pool their resources" in sectors considered strategic, such as agriculture, water, energy and transport. In addition, the leaders said they wanted local languages ​​to be used more in public and private media in their countries. /BTA