"Tripartite Sahel Security Alliance Formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso"

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have signed a mutual defense pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States, aiming to cooperate against armed rebellion or external aggression. The pact binds the countries to assist each other, including militarily, in the event of an attack. The Liptako-Gourma region, where the three countries' borders meet, has been plagued by armed rebellion. The alliance will combine military and economic efforts to prioritize the fight against terrorism in the region. France's relations with the three states have soured since the coups, leading to the withdrawal of French troops and a tense standoff with the military in Niger.