No Borders Between Us: The Sahel Alliance and the Rise of a New Pan-African Reality
“Today, there are no borders between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. We work together and there are no boundaries that divide us. We are one people.”
With those words, a powerful message echoed across the African continent — one that challenges colonial legacies, redefines sovereignty, and breathes new life into Pan-Africanism. The statement was made by leaders of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — an emerging regional bloc formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger — and it may represent the most radical rejection of Europe’s colonial carve-up of Africa in modern history.
The Sahel Revolt: From Coup Governments to Collective Power
In recent years, each of these West African nations has experienced a military coup, sparking concern and condemnation from international powers and the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). But instead of returning to the status quo, the juntas in these three countries doubled down on independence, self-determination, and unity.
In 2023, they formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) — a mutual defense pact that vowed to protect each other militarily and politically. In January 2024, they announced a joint withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing the bloc’s heavy sanctions, perceived neocolonial alignment, and failure to protect African interests.
Now in 2025, they are going further — not just defending each other, but dissolving the very colonial borders that separated them.
A Symbolic but Strategic Move
While national borders still exist on paper and in international law, the removal of internal boundaries between the three AES nations is symbolically and strategically potent:
Freedom of movement between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is being prioritized.
Shared governance structures in defense, currency, and trade are being discussed.
Joint military operations are already underway to combat insurgents and foreign-backed militias.
Nationalism is being redefined — not as pride in a single post-colonial state, but in a unified Sahelian-African identity.
Their message to the rest of the continent? “We are stronger together. These borders were not made for us — they were made to control us.”
Colonial Borders, Modern Struggles
Africa’s current national boundaries were mostly drawn in 1884-1885 at the Berlin Conference — a European summit where African nations were sliced up like corporate assets. These lines ignored ethnic, cultural, and historical realities. As a result, countless communities were divided, and foreign powers were enabled to dominate the region through “divide and conquer” tactics.
Today, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are challenging those lines head-on. They’re not waiting for permission from France, the UN, or any external power. Instead, they are telling their citizens — and the rest of Africa — that unity is not only possible, it is necessary.
The Larger Pan-African Vision
The AES movement isn’t just about the Sahel. It’s an invitation to all of Africa to reimagine itself:
“We hope the rest of Africa can look beyond the imaginary lines drafted to keep us apart. We would be stronger.”
This vision echoes the dreams of Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Julius Nyerere, and countless other Pan-African leaders who once called for a United States of Africa. It is also aligned with modern movements that push for African control of African resources, youth-led governance, and continental digital and transportation connectivity.
#MakeAfricaGreatTogether: A New Rallying Cry
Emerging alongside this bold geopolitical shift is the #MakeAfricaGreatTogether campaign — a social and political slogan pushing for:
African ownership of natural resources
Unity beyond colonially imposed divisions
A break from Western-dominated economic structures
Strengthened regional alliances and defense pacts
Youth-centered leadership and innovation
This isn’t just a political move — it’s a cultural and economic awakening.
What's Next?
Skeptics argue that the AES is unstable, militarized, and could become authoritarian. Others point out the logistical and legal complications of erasing borders. But one thing is clear: the world is watching, and so is a new generation of Africans ready to challenge old assumptions and redraw the map — not with colonial ink, but with African hands.
🗣️ Join the Conversation
What does this mean for the future of Africa? Can Pan-Africanism finally take root in a way that’s practical and people-centered? Could this model work for Southern, Central, or East Africa?
Drop your thoughts below
We don’t just report Black history — we write it.