Mauritania and Chad dissolve the G5 Sahel: Implications and Future Initiatives in the Sahel Region

2023-12-06 21:42:15

Mauritania and Chad sign the death certificate of the G5 Sahel. This weekend, Niger and Burkina Faso announced that they were leaving this military coalition. Mali had already slammed the door in May 2022. In a joint press release released Wednesday morning, the presidencies of Mauritania and Chad therefore announced that they were putting an end to the existence of the G5.

Published on: 06/12/2023 – 22:42

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Created in 2014, the G5 Sahel was already nothing more than a “G4”, since leaving Mali a year and a half ago. Reduced to “G2” last Saturday, it was finally reduced to nothing by its last two members, Mauritania and Chad. “ Taking note » decisions of their “ Sister republics », the two countries announce the implementation of the process of dissolving the G5. Article 20 of the convention creating the G5 Sahel, cited in the press release, provides that the latter “ can be dissolved at the request of at least three Member States ».

Mauritania and Chad recall that in nine years, the G5 has enabled the creation of a joint military force, an anti-terrorism training center or even a defense college, intended for the military of member countries . On the ground, however, the achievements of the G5 and in particular its joint force have remained very limited. At the end of October, the European Union, one of the main donors of the G5, also decided to suspend a large part of its funding.

Also read: Niger and Burkina Faso announce their withdrawal from the G5 Sahel

But it is not for its mixed results that Mali, then Niger and Burkina deserted the G5: the authorities resulting from their respective military coups consider that the G5 was “ instrumentalized » (Malian press release of May 2022) to the service « of foreign interests » (common Nigerien and Burkinabè press release from last Saturday). A barely veiled reference to their designated common enemy: France.

Bamako, Niamey and Ouagadougou, for their part, created the Alliance of Sahel States two and a half months ago. A defense pact coupled with political, diplomatic and economic objectives. Without hard feelings, Mauritania and Chad assure that they will continue their efforts “ with all the countries of the Sahel ».

Nigerien Prime Minister Lamine Zeine also went to Ndjamena on Wednesday where he was received by Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby. According to the CNSP press release, the discussions focused in particular on the political situation in Niger and the ongoing talks with ECOWAS.

Read alsoAlliance of Sahel States: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger intend to strengthen their relations

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