After the Niger Coup Attempt: What Options Does the Sahel Confederation Have to Face Security Challenges?

The attempted coup in Niger has revived questions regarding the security options available to the Alliance of Sahel States, especially since its member countries (Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso) withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States, known by the acronym ECOWAS.

The coup attempt in Niger is not the only incident fueling speculation about the Alliance's choices. Armed groups in Mali and Burkina Faso have consolidated their influence and intensified attacks, placing transitional authorities in the region before unprecedented challenges. These groups vary their military reach between lightning strikes and suffocating sieges targeting cities and capitals.

Amid social and economic crises, demands are growing for the adoption of new security options that effectively curb the influence of armed groups and end disputes within military institutions.

Liptako-Gourma Charter
The three Sahel states, which previously established a confederation, experienced military coups that produced new rulers who expelled Western forces and sought Russian support to face security challenges. Despite promising to restore stability, they failed to achieve significant field gains.

Military expert specializing in African affairs, Amr Diallo, stated that "the current security situation in the Sahel region indeed raises legitimate concerns, particularly as armed groups have gained unprecedented boldness in attacking military bases and convoys, becoming a serious threat to food and fuel supplies, among other things."

Diallo clarified in a statement to "Erem News" that "one of the options currently leading discussions in Niger is the necessity of activating the Liptako-Gourma Charter for joint defense, which stipulates conducting cross-border operations involving Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to pursue armed groups attempting to exploit security vacuums."

He noted that "there is an effort to strengthen cooperation with Russia, especially given Moscow's confirmation of its readiness to provide further support and its contribution to thwarting the latest coup attempt."

Return to Openness with ECOWAS
These developments come at a time when fears prevail that armed groups could seize some Sahel capitals, similar to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which launched a suffocating siege earlier targeting the capital, Bamako, and several major Malian cities.

Political analyst specializing in African affairs, Mohamed Idris, considered that "recent events in Mali and Niger actually reflect the failure of the security approaches of the ruling military councils, as armed groups can now seize entire camps or cause military units to defect from loyalty to the authorities; therefore, we are facing a truly confusing scene."

He pointed out that "reports in Mali and Niger specifically speak of a return to openness with ECOWAS, where both Bamako and Niamey are showing flexible diplomacy toward the Economic Community of West African States, which may culminate in the resumption of military coordination and cooperation. If this happens, it could lead to a breakthrough in the security landscape."