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The Anti-Imperialist Surge in the Sahel and the Historic Conference in Niamey

2024/11/28
abolitionmedia

The Black Alliance for Peace and U.S. Out of Africa Network provided this report following their participation in the “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel”.

Introduction

The Black Alliance for Peace (BAP) and the U.S. Out of Africa Network (USOAN) participated in the historic “Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel” from November 19-21, 2024, in Niamey, Niger, through the presence of USOAN Steering Committee member Imani Umoja and BAP Africa Team member Tunde Osazua. This gathering, organized by Pan Africanism Today and the West African People’s Organization , convened a global convergence of grassroots movements, unions, and revolutionary organizations to confront the forces of imperialism and militarization in Africa.

The conference was a momentous event, with over 2,300 people attending the opening plenary and more than 120 formations represented from across the globe, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The attendees reflected a rich demographic tapestry, ranging from seasoned revolutionary leaders to vibrant youth activists, all united by a shared commitment to dismantling neocolonial structures and advancing African sovereignty. This broad and diverse participation underscored the global significance of the Sahel’s revolutionary transformation and the collective determination to resist imperialism and promote self-determination.

The atmosphere at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre was electric, with a palpable spirit of defiance and determination. The delegates embodied the resilience and revolutionary zeal that has characterized the Sahel’s anti-imperialist movement. Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, officially inaugurated the event on behalf of Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Head of State and Chairman of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) Government of the Republic of Niger, emphasizing the significance of the moment. The gathering buzzed with impassioned discussions, cultural performances, and a shared resolve to transform Africa into a continent free of foreign exploitation and domination.

For BAP, this conference offered a critical platform to advance its campaign to shut down the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and forge new bonds of solidarity with Sahelian formations and people leading the anti-imperialist movement in Africa. Delegates from various formations expressed keen interest in learning about BAP’s work, while discussions revealed a growing alignment between the goals of the Shut Down AFRICOM campaign and the demands of the Sahelian people.

At the heart of the conference—and the region’s revolutionary transformation—was the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso that has boldly rejected foreign militarization and neocolonial domination. The AES represents a powerful regional bloc in the ongoing struggle for self-determination and Pan-Africanism, embodying a vision of sovereignty rooted in the collective aspirations of its people. The AES’s defiance of U.S., French, and NATO-led domination was a recurring theme, and its approach to grassroots mobilization, resource sovereignty, and unified defense served as an inspiration to attendees.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the momentum, the Sahel faces significant challenges as it seeks to establish economic and political independence:

1. Economic Dependency

  • The region’s economies remain heavily reliant on raw material exports, particularly uranium and gold. Plans to industrialize, including building gold refineries and scaling up oil production, aim to reduce dependency and increase state revenues.

2. Sanctions and Isolation

  • Sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West have caused significant economic hardship, limiting access to essential goods and services. However, solidarity among AES countries has mitigated some of the impact.

3. Security Concerns

  • Terrorism remains a pressing issue. The Sahel’s leaders now seek to tackle this issue on their own terms, free from foreign interference. Much of the terrorism in the Sahel can be traced to the destabilization caused by foreign military interventions, particularly the 2011 NATO-led invasion of Libya. This intervention created a power vacuum that unleashed heavily armed groups and fighters across the region, particularly into Mali and Niger.
  • These destabilizing forces were further exacerbated by the presence of foreign militaries, including AFRICOM and France’s Operation Barkhane, which often failed to neutralize extremist groups and instead fueled local grievances through civilian casualties, resource exploitation, and neocolonial control. Local communities have repeatedly pointed out that these foreign interventions have done little to eliminate the root causes of violence, such as economic inequality, disenfranchisement, and the manipulation of ethnic tensions for political gain.

4. Class Struggle

  • Among the AES member states, Mali has faced the most vocal internal opposition to the recent anti-imperialist transformation, much of it rooted in entrenched elite interests opposed to the revolutionary government. This tension was recently highlighted by the removal of Mali’s civilian prime minister by the transitional government, an act that underscored the revolutionary leadership’s commitment to addressing class contradictions.

The Coups as Products of Mass Struggle

One of the most significant takeaways from these anti-imperialist developments is the recognition that the coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso were not isolated or purely elite-driven events but were deeply rooted in mass struggle. These coups were the culmination of years of popular mobilization against neocolonialism, exploitation, and the devastating effects of foreign militarization.

  • Niger’s Popular Resistance: The coup in Niger, led by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), emerged from a groundswell of anger against the French-backed government of Mohamed Bazoum. The Bazoum regime, seen as a puppet of Western interests, faced relentless protests for its complicity in perpetuating neocolonial exploitation and its invitation to French troops fleeing Mali to reestablish themselves in Niger. Popular support for the coup was immediate and widespread, with celebrations erupting across the country and the rapid organization of movements like the Convergence for the Nations of the Sahel (COSNAS), which played a critical role in mobilizing public resistance against French and U.S. military presence.
  • Mali and Burkina Faso’s Revolutionary Roots: In both Mali and Burkina Faso, the masses demanded an end to foreign military interventions disguised as counterterrorism operations. These interventions, such as France’s Operation Barkhane and the U.S.’s AFRICOM drone programs, only exacerbated violence and entrenched dependency. The coups, far from being “anti-democratic,” were products of popular pressure to break free from these cycles of domination.

While much remains to be done toward the complete liberation of the Sahel states, we are optimistic that these governments, by continuing to listen to their people, will fulfill their objectives for total national liberation and contribute to the broader goal of a unified and free Africa. The popular movements in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso represent the beating heart of this revolution, and their alignment with military leaders willing to act on anti-imperialist principles creates a unique opportunity to defend the AES.

The AES as a Vanguard

The Alliance of Sahel States’ bold stance against foreign militarization, including the expulsion of U.S. and French troops, positions it as a beacon of hope for the continent and a rallying point for anti-imperialist forces globally.

  1. Defending Sovereignty: The AES’s actions—such as ending French military agreements, shutting down U.S. bases, and rejecting the neocolonial frameworks of ECOWAS and the G5 Sahel—demonstrate a collective commitment to sovereignty. These decisions, rooted in mass resistance, challenge the legitimacy of AFRICOM and other foreign military operations in Africa. The AES’s ability to hold firm against external pressure is a testament to the strength of its popular support and its unified vision.
  2. Inspiring Continental Resistance: The AES is not only a regional bloc but also a blueprint for liberation across Africa. Its rejection of foreign domination and its commitment to self-reliance resonate with oppressed peoples across the continent and beyond. As the AES dismantles the structures of imperialism, it paves the way for other nations to follow suit.

Building Momentum for the Shut Down AFRICOM Campaign

The expulsion of AFRICOM from Niger and the broader anti-imperialist revolution in the Sahel mark a turning point in Africa’s struggle for sovereignty. As the first region to remove AFRICOM, Niger/AES offers a tangible example of what is possible when popular movements and revolutionary leadership unite. To effectively prioritize Niger and the AES, BAP can take several steps:

  1. Deepening Engagement with Sahelian Movements: BAP should strengthen its ties with grassroots organizations, unions, and political movements in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
  2. Expanding Public Awareness: The AES’s revolution is a powerful story that challenges Western narratives about Africa and imperialism. BAP should work to amplify this story through media campaigns, public education, and collaborations with like-minded organizations.
  3. Advocating for International Support: The AES faces significant challenges, including economic sanctions, security threats, and diplomatic isolation. BAP should mobilize its networks to advocate for international support for the AES, emphasizing the importance of its success for the global anti-imperialist movement.

Conclusion

Toward the end of the conference, delegates adopted the Niamey Declaration , expressing unwavering support for the resolute peoples and leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States. On Thursday, November 21, conference attendees united in a powerful march against Israel’s ongoing genocide. The march concluded at the iconic Thomas Sankara Memorial, a fitting culmination to the three-day Conference in Solidarity with the Peoples of the Sahel.

The expulsion of AFRICOM from Niger and the broader anti-imperialist revolution in the Sahel mark a turning point in Africa’s struggle for sovereignty. As the first region to remove AFRICOM, Niger/AES offers a tangible example of what is possible when popular movements and revolutionary leadership unite. These developments signal a new era in the struggle for African liberation.

Next Steps for BAP/USOAN

Deepen Engagement with the AES/Africa

  1. Establish Working Relationships:
  • Schedule follow-up meetings with key contacts made at the conference
  • Formalize communication channels with contacts to ensure consistent dialogue and collaboration.
  1. Support AES’s Revolutionary Achievements:
  • Develop and release public statements and publications highlighting the AES’s successes, framing them as examples of revolutionary resistance to imperialism.
  • Advocate for international solidarity campaigns that recognize and defend the sovereignty of AES states, focusing on resisting sanctions and foreign intervention.

Strengthen the Shut Down AFRICOM Campaign and U.S. Out of Africa Network

  1. Use Niger’s Success as a Rallying Point:
  • Produce a detailed report or case study on Niger’s expulsion of AFRICOM, focusing on its implications for anti-imperialist struggles across Africa.
  • Organize public forums, media appearances, and workshops to expose AFRICOM’s destabilizing impact and highlight the Sahel’s alternative model of resistance.
  1. Expand the USOAN and its Steering Committee:
  • Recruit organizations and individuals from the African continent into the USOAN and identify and onboard additional USOAN Steering Committee members

Prepare for the 2025 Month of Action Against AFRICOM

  1. Collaborate on Coordinated Actions:
  • Begin consultations with African anti-imperialist movements to align strategies and identify key themes for the 2025 campaign.
  • Develop a unified calendar of actions to ensure cohesive messaging and impactful demonstrations across multiple regions.
  1. Campaign Messaging on Sovereignty and Self-Determination:
  • Produce media content, educational toolkits, and social media campaigns emphasizing the need for African sovereignty, drawing lessons from AES achievements.
  • Ensure the campaign highlights the role of grassroots resistance in forcing AFRICOM’s retreat and demonstrates how these efforts can be replicated elsewhere.