AES Bloc Accuses Neighbours of Sponsoring Terrorism Amid Sahel Realignment

Africa · Western Key Facts —Direct accusations. On 21 April 2026, Mali and Niger foreign ministers publicly told a Senegal forum that neighbouring countries harbour and finance terrorist groups. —Institutional fracture. The three AES states formally withdrew from ECOWAS on 29 January 2025 and launched a 5,000-strong joint force outside the bloc’s structures. —Illicit gold…