Sahel's 'Three Musketeers' Form 5,000-Strong Force, Deepening Reliance on Russia

Three West African nations have joined forces to create a new military battalion, but their gamble on a new security partner could make a volatile region even more dangerous. As Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger turn their backs on the West and embrace Russia, analysts warn their military-first approach may backfire.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprised of the three military-run countries, announced the launch of the joint force on December 24 after a two-day summit in Bamako, Mali. The move comes as the nations struggle to contain escalating attacks from separatist movements and armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).

A New Battalion, A New Broadcast

The new joint battalion is expected to consist of an estimated 5,000 soldiers from the three countries. Its mandate will center on counterterrorism and border security. Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, named head of the alliance, announced that "large-scale" joint operations would begin in the coming days. In a parallel move, the leaders also launched AES Television, a joint media outlet intended to counter what they call disinformation and promote a regional narrative.

The Russian Pivot: Has It Worked?

This initiative solidifies a major geopolitical shift. In recent years, the three juntas have expelled longtime security partners France and the United States, turning instead to Russia. Around 1,000 fighters from the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps are now operating in Mali, with smaller Russian contingents also present in Burkina Faso and Niger.

However, analysts argue that this reliance on Russian forces has failed to improve security. "Since the Russians arrived in Mali, the security situation has worsened because they don’t distinguish between fighters and civilians," said Ulf Laessing, a Sahel analyst at the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung, according to news agencies. Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, noted that while Russian mercenaries helped retake the city of Kidal from Tuareg rebels, they have struggled against extremist groups, which have expanded into new territories.

A Complex Web of Threats

The AES states face a multi-pronged threat. The most influential armed group is Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked coalition formed in 2017. Another major player is the ISIL affiliate in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), which is highly active in the tri-border zone. These threats are compounded by Tuareg-led separatist movements.

The conflict has crippled the economies of these landlocked nations. JNIM has imposed blockades on key roads since September, choking supply lines. Diplomatic tensions with Western nations and the regional bloc ECOWAS have further isolated the AES states, leading to rising prices and shortages of basic goods.