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GuardianMar 26
The Facts
Military juntas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso signed a security pact on Saturday that binds the three African countries to support each other against threats of armed rebellion or external aggression.
The Liptako-Gourma Charter — named after the Liptako-Gourma region where the Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso borders meet — establishes the Alliance of Sahel States, a combination of military and economic efforts to "fight against terrorism in the three countries."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
This dangerous pact is a reaction to the West's ongoing plunder of the continent's natural resources and the ECOWAS' intrusive plan to use force to "restore constitutional rule" in Niger. Both France and the US are responsible for creating significant divisions and heightening regional tensions. All of this could soon cause a full-blown war in the Sahel region.
Pro-establishment narrative
It would be foolish to call this pact an act of anti-imperialist resistance, as the powerful and privileged high-ranking army officers have toppled democratically-elected governments to serve their interests. If allowed to go unabated, they will forcefully suppress the voice of the people they claim to represent when it fits their agenda.