The Sahel Confederation: The emerging anticolonial bloc you probably haven’t heard about

Three African states are taking the next step towards the consolidation of their alliance
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Three African states are taking the next step towards the consolidation of their alliance

Political evolution in Africa, supported by the pan-African movement and African populations, was marked in early July by the establishment of a new confederation between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, three members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES, or Alliance des Etats du Sahel in French), which itself was formed last September.

Military leaders Abdouraman Tchiani, Assimi Goita, and Ibrahim Traore signed a treaty at the inaugural summit in the Nigerien capital of Niamey. Mali has assumed the chairmanship of the alliance for a one-year term.

“On this historic day for our peoples, I am pleased to sign, together with my brothers from Burkina Faso and Niger, the documents for the operationalization and creation of the AES confederation. I am honored that Mali has been chosen as chair country,” Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goita, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

This resonates as a significant step towards true self-determination of African nations since the semblance of independence granted by France under Charles De Gaulle to its former colonies over 60 years ago.

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This political progress, however, raises many fears and concerns in Paris and Washington, who view this union as a challenge to their African policy and a significant loss of influence and geostrategic interests in West Africa. These fears are motivated by the reinforcement of African policy by Russia, highly appreciated and demanded by these countries’ leaders, who see in Moscow an opportunity to break free from Western hegemony by reclaiming their sovereignty.

The announcement of the creation of the confederation testifies to the willingness of African peoples to strengthen their presence on the international stage, especially in managing their resources and security. The prospect of a more autonomous and sovereign Africa challenges the dominance and exploitation patterns that have characterized relations between former colonial metropoles and their former colonies.

Specifically, Russia’s support for African policy in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to strengthen their institutions and military capabilities with a view to total sovereignty represents a significant shift in the balance of forces at play. This dynamic reflects a partnership based on mutual respect and cooperation, offering an alternative to traditional influence models promoted by Western powers. The creation of the Sahel Alliance Confederation thus represents a pivotal moment in contemporary African history.

It also paves the way for a new era of inter-African cooperation, self-determination, and the construction of more just and prosperous societies. However, this ambitious project will require support from African populations and states eager to see a free, balanced, and united Africa.

Security, regional integration, common policies

One of the key objectives of the confederation is to strengthen the sovereignty of member states, allowing them to make decisions more autonomously, without excessive interference from external actors. The new union also aims to enhance regional security cooperation, combat terrorism and instability, and will help promote peace in the Sahel region, which is known for its security challenges.

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It is likely that the alliance will work to promote economic and social development in Sahel member countries by promoting common policies and initiatives to address challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and inequalities as heard in the speeches at the first summit.

The Alliance of Sahel States will also seek to strengthen regional integration among its members by promoting trade, cross-border investments, and cooperation in areas such as education, health, environment, and technology. Finally, by fostering dialogue, consultation, and cooperation among member states, the confederation will promote peace and stability in the region.

We know that neighboring African countries of the Sahel face similar challenges in security, development, and governance, and so the confederation can collaborate with these countries to develop common strategies to address these challenges, including fighting terrorism, thus strengthening regional cooperation. Moreover, the confederation will be able to act as an important and influential regional actor, facilitating dialogue and diplomacy between the AES member states and neighboring African countries to resolve disputes and promote peace for populations facing ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and insecurity.

Possible ways of funding

Though there is no specific information provided yet, we could make several assumptions on how the confederation could be funded. First of all, it could combine various sources of funding to ensure its viability and efficient operation. Member states and future candidates for membership could be required to make regular financial contributions to finance the organization’s operating budget, based on their respective economic capacity to the AES investment bank, established together with the confederation, which will oversee the proper functioning of investments. These contributions, in my opinion, could be determined by a fair distribution mechanism based on criteria such as GDP, population, or other relevant indicators of wealth and natural resources.

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External financing, but not just any, so as not to hinder sovereignty or provoke interference within the confederation, can come from regional organizations and partners such as Russia and China. These funds could be allocated in the form of grants, concessional loans, or technical assistance to support specific projects or regional initiatives.

Then, the confederation could also generate its own resources by developing commercial initiatives or economic activities, with regional and international partners such as managing development projects, creating businesses, or marketing specialized services, tourism, in order to generate additional revenue to strengthen its financial autonomy.

Finally, the establishment of a solidarity and support fund will help to mobilize financial resources to address emergencies, humanitarian crises, or specific challenges faced by member states, thus ensuring solidarity and cooperation within the organization.

The creation of the Confederation of the Sahel Alliance embodies the hope of a united, strong, and independent Africa, ready to overcome present challenges and build a better future for its citizens. This process of consolidating African sovereignty should be welcomed and supported by all African countries and international partners in a spirit of partnership and mutual respect, in order to enable Africa to fully assert itself on the world stage as a major player in its own destiny.