This move showed their departure from their former colonial ruler, France, and a turn towards closer relations with Russia.
The announcement was made following a meeting of the three nations’ foreign ministers in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Friday, as reported by AFP.
Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Sangare, confirmed the finalisation of the draft text that outlines the institutionalisation and operationalisation of the AES.
“The objective was to finalise the draft text relating to the institutionalisation and operationalisation of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States,” Sangare said.
“We can consider very clearly, today, that the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States has been born,” declared Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.
The Heads of State of the three countries will formally adopt the text at an upcoming summit, although the exact date has not been specified.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore also participated in the crucial talks.
The three countries had earlier announced their exit from the regional bloc, ECOWAS, formed in 1975 to promote economic integration among its 15-member states.
The three countries, which are currently under military rule, said in a joint statement that they ceased to be members of ECOWAS as the regional body had allegedly “moved away from the ideals of its founding fathers and pan-Africanism.”
