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Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel States
Coups 2020–23; left ECOWAS Jan 2025· Conflict or rivalry
FactTreaties, membership, measured data, events.
Military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in 2020–23, whose juntas formed the Alliance of Sahel States and turned to Russia.
See it on the Geopolitics map →The picture
Soldiers seized power in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (twice in 2022) and Niger (July 2023), citing failure against jihadists. The juntas expelled French troops, pushed out US and UN forces and invited in Russian paramilitaries. They formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023, made it a confederation in 2024 and left the West African bloc ECOWAS in January 2025. They have delayed elections and dissolved parties. Jihadist violence has worsened; in 2026 JNIM tightened its blockade of Mali's capital.
Why it matters
They ended France's military role in the region, gave Russia a foothold, and showed that juntas can outlast regional sanctions.
Key facts and numbers
AU and ECOWAS decisions, the alliance's founding charter, ACLED violence data and the juntas' own decrees.
What to watch
Disputed: supporters call it sovereignty from France; critics call it military rule that worsened security. Whether Mali's junta survives the 2026 jihadist and rebel pressure is unclear.
Inside this (1)
Connections (5)
▸Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel States invited in Wagner Group and Russia's Africa CorpsFact
The relationship
As ties with France collapsed, Mali's junta brought in Wagner in late 2021, and French troops left in 2022; Burkina Faso and Niger later welcomed Russian instructors and Africa Corps units. Russia offers regime protection, weapons and no conditions on democracy or rights, in exchange for payment and mining access.
Since when and why
Mali from December 2021; Burkina Faso from early 2024; Niger from April 2024, after it ordered US troops out.
How we know
Junta and Russian statements, satellite imagery of bases, and UN and journalist investigations of their operations.
What to watch
Whether Russia stays as losses mount after its April 2026 exit from Kidal, and how much of Mali's gold it gains.
▸Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel States expelled troops of FranceFact
The relationship
France sent troops to Mali in 2013 to stop a jihadist advance and kept thousands across the Sahel. Juntas that seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in 2020–23 blamed France for failing against insurgents, ordered its forces out and turned to Russian mercenaries instead.
Since when and why
French forces left Mali in August 2022, Burkina Faso in February 2023 and Niger in December 2023; the juntas formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023.
How we know
Junta decrees, French defense ministry withdrawal statements and the documented departure of troops.
What to watch
Disputed: the juntas call France neo-colonial; Paris says it fought at their request and lost 58 soldiers. Jihadist violence has worsened since the French left.
▸Bola Tinubu chaired the West African bloc during Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel StatesFact
The relationship
Weeks after Tinubu became ECOWAS chair, soldiers ousted Niger's president in July 2023. He led tough sanctions and a threat of military force to restore him. Instead, Mali and Burkina Faso backed Niger's junta, the three formed their own alliance, and they quit ECOWAS in January 2025.
Since when and why
Abuja and Niamey; Tinubu chaired ECOWAS from July 2023 to June 2025. Sanctions on Niger were lifted in February 2024.
How we know
ECOWAS summit communiqués, the juntas' withdrawal notices and the Alliance of Sahel States charter.
What to watch
Disputed: critics say the threat of force pushed the juntas together; supporters say ECOWAS had to defend its anti-coup rules. Whether they return is unclear.
▸Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel States were justified by failures against Jihadist insurgencies (Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliates)Widely agreed
The relationship
Each junta justified seizing power by their predecessors' failure to stop jihadist attacks that had killed thousands of soldiers and civilians; Burkina Faso's 2022 coups followed heavy army losses. Yet violence has grown since the coups, and the Sahel is now the world's deadliest terrorism hotspot.
Since when and why
Mali 2020–21, Burkina Faso 2022 and Niger 2023; the main foes are al-Qaeda's JNIM and Islamic State Sahel Province.
How solid?
Coup leaders' own statements, and ACLED and Global Terrorism Index data showing rising deaths after the coups.
What to watch
Disputed: whether insecurity truly drove the coups or offered cover for officers' ambitions and anti-French sentiment.
▸African Union (AU) suspended the juntas of Sahel coups and the Alliance of Sahel StatesFact
The relationship
Under its rule against unconstitutional changes of government, the AU suspended Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger after their coups. The juntas responded by forming their own alliance and leaving ECOWAS, and suspension has not produced quick returns to civilian rule.
Since when and why
AU Peace and Security Council decisions in Addis Ababa: Mali in June 2021, Burkina Faso in January 2022, Niger in August 2023.
How we know
Peace and Security Council communiqués published by the AU.
What to watch
Whether the AU should engage the juntas more; some members argue isolation pushed them toward Russia.