(Ecofin Agency) - Amid a persistent security crisis, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Chad are collaborating to address regional security challenges. The region recorded 1,814 terrorist attacks in the first half of 2023, according to ECOWAS.

The armies of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Togo are currently conducting joint military exercises to strengthen their counter-terrorism capabilities. According to local media, these maneuvers, which began on May 20 at the Tillia training center in western Niger, will continue until June 3, 2024.

The operation, named "Tarhanakale," meaning "love of the homeland" in Tamajek, a local Niger language, aims to enhance the operational skills and resilience of the armed forces of the five countries. These exercises are particularly crucial as the Liptako-Gourma region, located at the border of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, is severely affected by insecurity and escalating violence due to the proliferation of armed groups and the rise of violent extremism. Terrorist attacks have also started spreading toward the coastal states of the region.

Notably, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) recently left the G5 Sahel and severed ties with its traditional partners, including France and the United States. In March, the AES announced the creation of a joint military force to bolster regional security, aligning with recommendations for deeper integration within the alliance.

According to ECOWAS data, the region recorded 1,814 terrorist attacks in the first half of 2023, resulting in 4,593 deaths. By the end of April 2023, the number of internally displaced persons exceeded 6 million.