Ce qu’il faut retenir
A new 5,000-man Unified Force of the Alliance of Sahel States has entered its operational phase in Niamey. Niger’s General Abdourahamane Tiani and Mali’s Colonel Assimi Goïta confirmed that the joint headquarters is active, the first battalions are deployed and common equipment orders have been placed. Regional security dynamics are set to shift accordingly.
Command Structure Anchored in Niamey
The command post sits inside Air Base 101 in Niamey, a facility once used by France’s Barkhane task force. Its symbolism is potent: the three juntas are taking full ownership of security planning on ground that formerly hosted external troops.
Burkina Faso’s Colonel Éric Dabiré, former commander of the volatile eastern military region, has been appointed force commander. His familiarity with cross-border militant movements is seen as an operational asset, according to officials in Ouagadougou.
Equipping the Battalions
“The time has come to equip the units,” President Ibrahim Traoré stated on 28 September, noting that each member state is sourcing identical materiel to ease logistics. Armoured pickups, drone reconnaissance kits and individual ballistic gear form the initial procurement package, defence sources in Niamey say.
Traoré added that Burkina Faso’s first battalion is already “ready”, while a second will become operational within two months. Similar timelines are reported in Bamako and Niamey, bringing the projected strength to five thousand soldiers.
First Joint Operations on the Ground
Although formally announced in January 2025, the force has quietly conducted joint patrols along the Mali–Niger border since early March. Officers describe hit-and-fade actions against Islamic State cells in the Tamou forest as trial runs that tested the new chain of command.
After-action reports shared in Bamako cite quicker intelligence circulation and shared air assets as decisive factors. One Malian captain said the unified radio protocol “cut reaction time by half,” underscoring the practical benefits of integration.
Regional Reactions and Next Steps
Neighbouring governments are watching closely. Ghana and Benin, both ECOWAS members, publicly urged coordination to avoid incidents in border zones. No adverse statement has been issued by the African Union Peace and Security Council, which is expected to hold briefings with the three capitals in coming weeks.
In Niamey, General Tiani insists the initiative is defensive and complements continental mechanisms. Privately, Sahel diplomats predict requests for multilateral funding once proof of concept is established, echoing precedents set by the G5 Sahel Joint Force.
Contexte
The Alliance of Sahel States was proclaimed in September 2023 by Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso after their successive breaks with France and the suspension of their ECOWAS memberships. Its charter emphasises mutual defence and the fight against terrorism, placing sovereignty at the heart of its narrative.
Calendrier
January 2025: official decision to form the Unified Force. March–August 2025: pilot patrols along shared borders. 30 September 2025: Niamey headquarters declared operational during Tiani’s visit to Bamako. November 2025: target date for full deployment of all battalions.
Acteurs
General Abdourahamane Tiani steers Niger’s transition and chairs the Alliance. Colonel Assimi Goïta leads Mali’s junta and hosts part of the training effort. Captain Ibrahim Traoré commands Burkina Faso while managing intense domestic insurgency pressure. Colonel Éric Dabiré coordinates joint tactics from Niamey.
Scenarios
Optimistic forecasts envision a credible regional force reducing jihadist mobility and restoring civilian trust. A middle-ground scenario foresees tactical successes but logistical strains without sustained external financing. The worst case projects overstretch and heightened friction with ECOWAS. For now, political alignment among the three capitals remains the decisive variable.
