Junta-led Sahel states to form joint force to fight insurgents

FILE PHOTO: Flags of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali are seen during a demonstration that was called by Mali's Junta to support their decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States regional bloc ''ECOWAS'', in Bamako, Mali, February 1, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

NIAMEY (Reuters) - Junta-led Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have agreed to set up a joint force to tackle security threats across their territories, Niger's armed forces chief Moussa Salaou Barmou said on Wednesday after a meeting with his counterparts.

The decision is the latest sign of closer alignment to emerge since the three neighbours in West Africa's insurgency-torn central Sahel region severed military ties with longstanding allies including France and formed a cooperation pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).