The Sahel Five group, also known as the G5 Sahel, is facing a major shift as Burkina Faso and Niger announce their withdrawal from all bodies and joint security operations associated with the coalition. A joint statement released by both transitional governments confirms this sovereign decision and states that the withdrawal takes effect immediately for Burkina Faso and Niger, following a comprehensive review of the organization and its activities.
According to the joint communiqué, the review examined how the Sahel Five operates, its governance structures, and the outcomes of nearly a decade of collaboration. The statement emphasizes that while the aim of the coalition has been to pool resources and coordinate efforts to establish a secure and developmental zone across the Sahel, the results have fallen short of expectations. The two countries express that the partnership has struggled to achieve its defined goals over its nine-year history, leading to this decision to disengage from all units and bodies under the umbrella of the Sahel Five.
The formation of the Sahel Five dates back to February 2014, when Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Mauritania came together with the goal of strengthening regional security and coordinating counterterrorism measures in the Western Sahel. For many years, the coalition operated from its headquarters in Nouakchott, Mauritania, acting as a platform to align military, security, and development initiatives across the member states. The departure of Burkina Faso and Niger marks a significant realignment in the regional security architecture and prompts questions about the future role of the remaining members in addressing shared threats.
Historical context shows that Mali withdrew from the Sahel Five in May 2022, highlighting the evolving political and security landscape in the region. The Sahel Five was created to harness collective capabilities and to present a united front against transnational extremist networks. Yet, successive assessments and public statements from member states indicate persistent challenges in translating coordination into durable security gains and developmental progress across the Sahel.
There is also reference in discussions about arms procurement and external partnerships, with mentions that coordination among the group included engagement with various international actors on security and defense issues. As the Sahel navigates shifting alliances and the emergence of new regional and global security frameworks, countries like Burkina Faso and Niger have chosen a path that they believe better aligns with their strategic priorities and sovereign decisions, even as other members reassess their own commitments within the coalition. The evolving regional security picture suggests that any sustained effort to counter terrorism and stability challenges in the Sahel will require adaptable strategies, robust cross-border cooperation, and a focus on resilience, governance, and development in addition to military collaboration.