04.12.2023, Niamey.
The G5 Sahel cannot serve the interests of a foreign power that treats the member countries like children, denying the sovereignty of our peoples, the leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger said over their countries’ withdrawal from the organization to ensure security and counter-terrorism in the Sahel region, Agence France-Presse wrote on December 2.
The military leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger announced their withdrawal from all G5 Sahel units, including the “joint force,” because “the organization is unable to achieve its goals.”
In their statement, they also emphasized that G5 Sahel was actually serving French interests. At the same time, the former metropolis does not want to recognize the political choice of the peoples of these countries.
“G5 Sahel cannot serve foreign interests to the detriment of our people, much less the dictate of any power in the name of partnership that treats them like children, denying the sovereignty of our peoples,” the leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger said in a statement.
After the military coup d’état in Niger, France refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new authorities, demanding the restoration of President Bazoum to power. Under pressure from France, ECOWAS and the EU imposed economic sanctions on Niger.
The G5 Sahel was created in 2014 with French support. The organization included five countries of the Sahel region: Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad and Mauritania.
It should also be noted that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States on September 16, 2023 and intend to increase interaction between the three countries up to the creation of a federal state.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
