Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Launch Joint Sahel Security Force

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have launched a joint regional armed force under the Alliance of Sahel States to tackle growing security threats.

The force was unveiled at a ceremony in Bamako, presided over by Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goïta. It will be headed by Burkinabe General Daouda Traoré and operate from a command base in Niamey.

The three junta-led countries, battling Islamist insurgency, formed the alliance after withdrawing from ECOWAS.