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On September 16, 2023, Burkina Faso, the Republic of Mali and the Republic of Niger created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The transitional authorities of the 3 countries signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter, whose objective is to “establish an architecture of collective defense and mutual assistance to the Contracting Parties.” This is, therefore, a considerable political event.
These countries are former French colonies and want full sovereignty of their prerogatives and those of the new geographical entity. Previous generations sacrificed much to liberate Nazi-occupied France. And then ? Today, descendants no longer support France’s control over the country’s interests, directly or through complicity. The CFA franc, mining resources, the bombings of Libya, the spread of terrorism, puppet governments, etc… are witnesses of an anachronistic situation.
That this offends those nostalgic for the blessed days of the colonies is obvious, but the movement is not going to stop. Article 11 of the Charter provided for expansion: “this Charter may be open to any other State that shares the same geographical, political and sociocultural realities and accepts the objectives of the Alliance. The application for membership is accepted unanimously by the States Parties. » Unlimited ambition!
This Alliance arises after the success of the BRICS in South Africa, which prompted a request for membership from many countries. At the same time, on September 15 and 16, 2023, the G77 + China met in CUBA, a country under US embargo. They adopted the Havana Declaration on “Development challenges: role of science, technology and innovation.” Things are certainly moving forward, without the coercive West.
In this unprecedented context, France should take the path of dialogue and diplomacy; she should refrain from attacking African artists, students and civil society. Furthermore, in October 2021, the French president seemed to innovate by organizing a summit with young Africans, invited to express themselves without filters, in a free tone. It’s time to say: “I hear you.”
Finally, France makes a lot of noise but does not offer any concrete and comprehensive alternative. In Réunion, media personalities remain silent as a new era dawns, impacted by the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Ary Yee-Chong-Tchi-Kan
