The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have signed a mutual defence pact in Bamako, Mali. The pact, known as the Liptako-Gourma Charter, establishes the Alliance of Sahel States.

The pact is aimed at combating jihadism in the Liptako-Gourma region, where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger meet.

All three countries have undergone coups since 2020, and have been fighting jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

The charter binds the signatories to assist one another, including militarily, in the event of an attack on any one of them. It also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

The signing of the pact comes as France has withdrawn its anti-jihadist force from Mali and Burkina Faso.

The French troops have also been pushed out of Niger, while Niger’s coup leaders have renounced several military cooperation agreements with France.

The mutual defence pact is a significant development in the fight against jihadism in the Sahel region.