Niger Joins Alliance of Sahel States, Shifts Geopolitical Alliances
Niger officially joined the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2024, aligning with Mali and Burkina Faso. This move follows Niger's withdrawal from ECOWAS and signifies a broader geopolitical shift in the Sahel region. The AES members are actively positioning themselves against former colonial powers, asserting greater control over their natural resources, and seeking new international alliances. Niger has explicitly emphasized its sovereignty and right to self-determination, rejecting what it perceives as neocolonialism and advocating for regional political and economic independence. This shift has led to the withdrawal of French and American military forces from Niger during 2023-2024, with Russian-affiliated security personnel partially filling the void. The country's foreign policy is now focused on strengthening political and security cooperation within the AES bloc, with Russia expressing interest in deepening ties with these nations. This reorientation impacts various aspects, from flight availabilit...
