Institute for Security Studies Analyzes Financing of Alliance of Sahel States and ECOWAS Impact
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has published an analysis on the financing strategies of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These countries have severed ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and are now relying on external partners for financial support. The AES has introduced a 0.5% import levy and established a development bank to fund its initiatives, including a joint military force. Despite claims of self-reliance, the AES continues to depend on countries like Russia, Türkiye, Iran, and China for military equipment and financial backing. The AES's strategy of diversifying its external dependencies is seen as a way to avoid the pitfalls that led to the collapse of the G5 Sahel force, which was heavily reliant on Western support. 
