Description: Three junta – led countries, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have announced their joint military cooperation platform to tackle jihadist attacks from the Islamic State and Al – Qaeda in the region. The announcement was made by the Niger Defense Minister, who claimed the three countries came to an agreement to expand military cooperation, increase equipment and logistical means and enhance intelligence cooperation. The three countries are previous French colonies who expelled the French military personnel and turned to allies like Russia in the last three years.
Impact: The cooperation between the three countries indicates a unified front in approaching security stabilization in the Sahel region in Africa. Although Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are led by military juntas who gained governance through military coups in the past three years, close cooperation on national security threats such as terrorism could potentially douse down conflict tensions in the region. The closeness to Russia – supported groups in the region presents clear evidence of the Russian footprint expansion in a region that is known to be rich with natural resources.