On this interview, Antoine SOMDAH, former ambassador of Burkina Faso to the Russian Federation, an knowledgeable in worldwide regulation and nuclear regulation, and a member of the United Nations Safety Council (2008 and 2009), critically assesses the significance of the newly created Alliance of Sahel States (AES), its implications, the challenges and future prospects in West Africa. This marked a serious geopolitical turning level within the Sahel area for the three Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It additionally signified the ultimate withdrawal from the regional financial group ECOWAS. Listed here are the interview excerpts:
How would you assess the potential and efficiency of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since its creation?
Antoine SOMDAH: Initially, I want to remind you that it was following the ineffectiveness of the safety response, the weak solidarity, and even the abandonment of the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) within the face of the terrorist scourge, the irresponsible financial sanctions and particularly the specter of army intervention in Niger that the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was born. It was established on September 16, 2023 with the signing of the Liptako-Gourma Constitution by the States of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, three international locations traditionally sharing the cross-border area of West Africa and the Sahel referred to as “Liptako-Gourma” from which the symbolic identify of the Constitution comes.
Strategically talking, it’s a collective protection and mutual help bloc aimed toward countering any ECOWAS army intervention or any exterior risk together with terrorism and with the ambition of sub-regional financial integration. This strategic selection is fueled by similarities in financial knowledge and territorial (2,781,392 km2), demographic (71.5 million inhabitants based on 2022 knowledge), social and cultural continuity in addition to a shared historical past, marked by colonization, which creates a sense of rejection of the occupying energy to aspire to actual sovereignty. The creation of the AES marks a serious geopolitical turning level within the Sahel area. It isn’t solely a rational response to the regional setting marked by insecurity and instability but in addition the widespread want of the three international locations to strengthen their sovereignty and coordinate their efforts within the struggle in opposition to terrorism. The results of rising frustration with conventional Western companions, the AES symbolizes the search for strategic options and new allies on the worldwide scene. A number of actions have already been undertaken with conferences and draft initiatives to maneuver the Alliance in direction of the Statutes of a confederation and in the end in direction of a federation.
It’s on this regard that, on January 28, 2024, the Alliance international locations introduced their withdrawal from ECOWAS. Then, on February 15, a gathering of the Alliance member international locations was held in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), which laid the foundations for the creation of a confederation. On March 6, the Alliance additionally introduced the formation of a joint anti-terrorist power and in Might it finalized the draft treaty creating the Confederation of the Alliance, with the purpose of finishing the draft textual content regarding the institutionalization and operationalization of the Alliance of Sahel States. Just lately, on July 6, 2024, the primary summit of the Alliance of Sahel States was held in Niamey, Niger, which noticed the adoption of the Treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States and which additionally addressed points and challenges widespread to the three international locations, together with safety and protection, terrorism, in addition to financial, industrial and cultural exchanges.
The AES additionally goals to create an financial and financial union, in addition to its personal forex which ought to be primarily based on the pure sources of the member international locations of the Confederation. It should be acknowledged that beforehand a gathering of the Ministers of Financial system and Finance of the member international locations of the AES held in Bamako on November 25, 2023, to be able to promote financial improvement inside the AES space, had advisable, amongst different issues, the creation of structuring tasks within the fields of power, infrastructure, transport and meals safety. It had additionally advisable the creation of a stabilization fund and an funding financial institution. The assembly of the Ministers of Overseas Affairs held following the latter, on November 30 and December 1, 2023 in the identical metropolis, had advisable to the Heads of Member States the creation of a confederation.
What are the political and financial implications of the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS)?
AS: Fairly naturally, the withdrawal of the AES international locations from ECOWAS essentially has rapid political and financial implications for not solely the AES itself but in addition for all different ECOWAS international locations by way of mobility of individuals and items, commerce and regional sectoral coverage. It’s a sovereign selection made by these three international locations, even when it takes a interval of 1 yr after notification for them to stop to be members of the group, in accordance with the ECOWAS Treaty of 1993.
There can even be impacts within the areas of collective safety, the regional protection power and the struggle in opposition to terrorism even when they’ve by no means functioned as they need to. However, the leaders of the AES reaffirmed their membership within the West African Financial and Financial Union (WAEMU), one of many particular establishments of ECOWAS, to be able to reduce the sudden financial shock that the AES space may bear. Furthermore, this withdrawal may result in a redefinition of financial relations within the West African area, with vital changes on the nationwide, regional and extra-regional ranges. It may additionally supply alternatives for reform and endogenous improvement on this space.
From what you mentioned above, does this imply that commerce and financial cooperation with neighboring states have ceased? Do you additionally foresee the emergence of attainable conflicts between the Alliance and ECOWAS?
AS: I don’t assume so! It’s true that the free motion of individuals and items stays a figuring out think about relations, notably commerce between states and peoples, nevertheless, the states of the area have all the time remained interdependent, which may power the AES international locations to barter bilateral agreements with sure states with which they’ve very robust financial and pleasant ties, but in addition with these with financial resilience or with states or organizations that share widespread pursuits and challenges exterior the West African area. Additionally, with a view to creating its widespread forex, the AES ought to contemplate, within the medium time period, its withdrawal from UEMOA to stimulate its endogenous financial improvement.
Furthermore, it isn’t excluded that different international locations within the area will likely be attracted by the AES federation challenge. In any case, it is a chance to start out off on the correct foot in direction of full sovereignty and free ourselves from exterior affect. On the emergence of attainable conflicts between the Alliance and ECOWAS, I’d say no, as a result of the preservation of peace and stability within the West African area is an important precedence and each entities are conscious of this.
Do you assume ECOWAS wants critical reforms within the context of present geopolitical developments?
AS: Oh sure in fact! “Each cloud has a silver lining”! The present state of affairs in ECOWAS displays the persistent safety, financial and political challenges dealing with the area. This case even turns into a chance for ECOWAS to readjust its integration mannequin by putting nice emphasis on the creation of an ECOWAS of the individuals to encourage elevated funding, to be able to full financial integration. Additionally, the necessity to advocate dialogue and enhanced cooperation on safety with the AES and at last adapt its regional integration and cooperation insurance policies to its altering setting.
Are you able to additionally focus on China and Russia’s present cooperation in commerce, funding and safety with the Alliance of Sahel States?
AS: The rising relations between China, Russia and the rising governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger recommend a geopolitical reconfiguration in West Africa. However first, it should be mentioned that China and Russia are themselves important strategic companions. The AES Heads of State have determined to take their future into their very own palms and transfer away from facade and ineffective partnerships to honest companions reminiscent of Russia and China, but in addition Turkey. These partnerships with Russia, China and Turkey have enabled the AES international locations to equip themselves effectively and successfully conduct operations in opposition to armed terrorist teams. The arrival of Turkey and Iran within the Sahel equation is a part of a broader motion of diversification of worldwide partnerships by the AES international locations.
China, primarily established on the African continent because of giant investments, appears more and more to need to concentrate on the East coast the place the nation launched its New Silk Roads challenge in 2017. It’s engaged within the Sahel in a number of areas reminiscent of agriculture, commerce, safety, power and infrastructure.
Russia’s affect can be felt all through the continent, however with a extra vital presence in French-speaking Africa and the Sahel, benefiting from the departure of all French troopers of the Barkhane power from Malian territory in August 2022. Certainly, with practically 3,000 troopers engaged since 2013 within the Sahel, the French anti-jihadist power Barkhane has confronted the rise of anti-French sentiment in a couple of years, with the Malian authorities having most popular to maneuver nearer to Russia and the assistance of the paramilitary troops of the Wagner Group. In September 2022, the Burkinabe authorities who had simply come to energy additionally expressed their want to maneuver nearer to Russia regardless of France following the protests in opposition to the Barkhane power.
Since 2010, Russia has included the African continent in its international coverage. Over time, it has positioned itself as a attainable different for African states disillusioned by Western alliances, each politically and militarily, by means of a hybrid technique. Russia due to this fact intends to offer assist, as a lot as attainable, to the Alliance of Sahel States, notably by way of safety, coaching army personnel and police our bodies and by creating financial cooperation.
The paramilitary group “Wagner” is current in Mali, amongst different locations, with lively army operations, collaborating in fight. This group is regularly being changed by “Africa Corps” or “African Corps”. It is a new army corps that formally represents Russia on the African continent, taking on the safety structure established by Wagner beneath a extra centralized command construction inside the Russian Ministry of Protection. The primary main deployment of this new army corps occurred in Burkina Faso in January 2024 with 100 Russian army instructors and, since then, it has regularly taken management of operations in Mali and most not too long ago in Niger. Turkey additionally presents protection and intelligence assist.
What are the principle financial sectors which can be necessary for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger? Do you contemplate the state of civil society, youth and the media within the improvement of political and financial energy?
AS: I mentioned earlier that the AES international locations have related financial challenges characterised by a powerful dependence on agriculture and international support, underdeveloped infrastructure, and vulnerability to exterior shocks reminiscent of fluctuations in commodity costs and climatic hazards. Mobility can be an important facet for these landlocked international locations and depending on commerce corridors by means of coastal states for his or her imports and exports.
A number of improvement initiatives are taken on this course to stimulate the principle necessary financial sectors within the precedence areas of agriculture, livestock, well being, power, transport and mineral sources, but in addition within the space of street, rail and airport infrastructure.
Mali, for instance, adopted by Burkina Faso with their necessary agricultural sector, had been necessary contributors by way of agricultural merchandise within the ECOWAS area. Burkina Faso and Niger performed essential roles within the commerce of products and mineral sources reminiscent of textiles, livestock, gold and uranium. This new period for the AES international locations will enable better financial and political autonomy to be able to strengthen the sovereignty of States. They may now have the chance to simply pursue financial insurance policies consistent with their realities and aspirations.
To the query of whether or not I contemplate the state of civil society, youth and the media to be within the development of political and financial energy, I’d say that during the last twenty years, the mobilization of younger individuals has remained fixed in denouncing the excesses of the powers in place and in opposition to the excessive price of dwelling. Among the many elements of social actions, we observe specifically civil society organizations wherein there are youth organizations, ladies’s organizations and unions with the assist of social networks and the media and the web typically. The media, in varied types, play a significant function within the struggle in opposition to corruption by speaking data on the work of those organizations and by elevating consciousness. Freedom of expression is assured on the nationwide, continental and worldwide ranges, even when the media might generally be topic to restrictions. In Burkina Faso, for instance, since 1998 to the current day, the calls for of civil society have helped form the administration of political and financial energy. At present, the context of terrorism that the nation is struggling is way from leaving civil society organizations detached. Greater than in different international locations, they don’t hesitate to precise their assist for presidency forces, whereas offering their criticisms and parts of moderation to name for motion with discernment and accountability. On February 24, 2024, the Alliance of Youth of the Sahel States held its Common Meeting in Ouagadougou, wherein the delegations of Mali and Niger took half to affirm the will of younger individuals to assist the dynamics underway within the three AES international locations. To do that, a number of actions had been scheduled to debate themes regarding the sovereignty of peoples, the promotion of the financial system, tradition and the inclusion of younger individuals in decision-making. They intend, by means of this group, to contribute to the achievement of the targets pursued by the AES whereas selling good collaboration between the totally different sections of this construction which will likely be created within the two different international locations.
Do you see collaborations on initiatives to enhance power, science and expertise additionally attainable with exterior gamers?
AS: Completely! Power, science and expertise are important to the transformation of the AES space by way of agriculture, business and poverty eradication. It is going to, due to this fact, be essential to spend money on these sectors whereas selling innovation. By way of power, manufacturing is especially thermal, however the solar is turning into one of many power potentials more and more exploited within the AES international locations. Power manufacturing with fuel and civil nuclear energy is already being thought of. The diversification of strategic companions is all of the extra essential with the withdrawal of the AES international locations from ECOWAS. The AES international locations, taken individually, are already linked by worldwide agreements and bilateral partnerships within the area of science and expertise.
On the worldwide degree, these international locations already take part within the technical and scientific cooperation tasks of the Worldwide Atomic Power Company (IAEA), in addition to in packages carried out inside the framework of the Regional Cooperation Settlement for Africa on Analysis, Growth and Coaching within the Discipline of Nuclear Science and Know-how (AFRA) and different specialised our bodies of the United Nations system. On this regard, I want to inform you that I personally had the chance to actively take part with the nationwide workforce liable for laying the foundations of this technical and scientific cooperation with the IAEA from 1999 to 2007.
The STI Agenda 2026 (science, expertise and innovation) of the Group of the Islamic Convention (OIC) adopted in 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, covers plenty of pressing areas of inter-state cooperation, starting from constructing a tradition of science and innovation amongst younger individuals to bettering the employability of individuals, together with water safety, meals and the setting; selling wholesome lives for all residents and bettering the standard of upper schooling and analysis, amongst others.
On the bilateral degree, it ought to be famous that these international locations have chosen a strategic partnership with the Russian Federation. Burkina Faso has been in partnership with Russia (Russian Company Rosatom) since October 2023 for the development of a nuclear energy plant. On February 20, 2024, the three power corporations of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger throughout their assembly in Ouagadougou outlined the methods to safe the availability {of electrical} power to the AES international locations; this occasion marks the start of the optimization and pooling of unpolluted power sources by diversifying the selection of strategic companions.
Lastly, what’s the pathway ahead by way of democratic governance and improvement technique within the three states? Are these states pursuing the rules regarding (peace and stability, improvement and prosperity) of the multipolar world?
AS: This query is all of the extra necessary because it deserves to be thought of in depth. Initially, the AES is a confederation of states with restricted capability vis-à-vis the worldwide system, which seeks to strengthen its autonomy to withstand exploitation and cut back its dependence on this similar international system dominated by Westerners, specifically the previous colonial powers reminiscent of France and the worldwide monetary establishments, in a phrase the unipolar world order. Which means that these are deep strategic points, due to this fact advanced. Actually, in latest many years, financial crises, inner conflicts and the lack of confidence in conventional establishments, in addition to the various failures noticed within the chaotic administration of sure wars within the Center East, added to the errors made successively within the outbreak of the battle in Syria and now with the provocation of that in Ukraine, and the makes an attempt to destabilize sure African international locations to be able to management their wealth have weakened the capability of Western international locations to train a dominant affect.
Whereas the West has lengthy been seen as a mannequin to comply with, the remainder of the world is questioning this cultural superiority and in search of to claim its personal id and voice. This is the reason the delivery of the BRICS constitutes a extra pragmatic different and oriented in direction of the multipolarity that the remainder of the world aspires to, thus making a unity of the World South.
Clearly, the AES States are oriented in direction of multipolarity, which is meant to be a extra inclusive and concerted strategy, the place totally different international locations and areas work collectively to search out widespread options. In any case, the AES is obliged to redefine alliances within the area and pave the best way for better affect from powers reminiscent of Russia, China and Turkey, and even different rising BRICS international locations. On this method, it should achieve defeating terrorism and consolidating its integration to turn into a middle of affect; diversifying its financial system to turn into affluent within the area, which is able to in fact promote the strengthening of its democracy, which stays a well-liked democracy.
Pursuing the rules of the multipolar world, the AES international locations need, in all independence, to have pragmatic win-win partnerships that advance their pursuits for the needs of their improvement, prosperity and stability. This strategic selection made by the AES international locations is consistent with the brand new strategy of the World South within the administration of world governance and undoubtedly a chance, lastly, to rebuild a brand new international safety structure.
