RABAT, January 22. /TASS/. The member countries of the Sahel Alliance are building a joint force of 5,000 people to counter terrorist threats, Niger's National Defense Minister Salifou Modi said, as quoted by the Maghreb Arabe Press news agency.
"This joint force will be equipped with air, ground, and intelligence assets, as well as a coordination system," he said. The activation of the new contingent is "a matter of weeks," he added.
"Our forces will now be able to operate together in the common space," Modi continued, noting that "the joint force, which is almost prepared, is 5,000 strong." The minister emphasized the need to "bring the three Sahel countries together in the face of common threats from criminal groups."
On September 16, 2023, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional collective defense organization. According to the founding document, any violation of the sovereignty or territorial integrity of one or more members will be considered an aggression against all parties and will require their assistance, individually or collectively, up to and including the use of military force.
On July 6, 2024, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso signed a confederation treaty to enhance the states' cooperation and integration.