The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) emerged largely as a response to both sanctions imposed on the three states and the shared necessity to combat terrorism in the region, Nikita Panin, an expert at the Center for African Studies at the Higher School of Economics, told panafrican.email

While military collaboration has been the most tangible outcome so far, Panin suggested that this alone has defined the alliance’s first year.

Looking ahead, Panin believes the alliance’s success will hinge on broader social and economic integration.

Panin also pointed to the lessons that can be drawn from ECOWAS, an organization with over five decades of history, so as not to repeat its mistakes.

“[ECOWAS] promised a lot to societies, it promised a lot to the governments. There were very ambitious plans such as having a common currency, such as fostering more integrational policies in different spheres, be it agriculture or something different. But all of that is hardly delivered,” the expert noted.

The challenge for the AES, Panin suggested, lies in balancing national sovereignty with the need for greater cooperation.