JNIM’s fuel blockade and newly imposed Sharia-style road laws mark the transformation of al-Qaeda’s Malian affiliate from insurgent force to parallel government, deepening Mali’s economic collapse and exposing the junta’s failure to govern.

Military leaders from Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali have signed a treaty to form a confederation aimed at strengthening political and economic ties and addressing regional security challenges in the Sahel. The agreement focuses on joint military operations against insurgencies, harmonized economic policies, and coordinated development projects. While the international community has mixed reactions, the confederation seeks to improve stability, attract foreign investment, and enhance regional cooperation. The initiative underscores the three nations’ commitment to overcoming shared challenges and fostering long-term peace and prosperity in West Africa.