Tag: Liptako

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger Sign a Mutual Defence Pact

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment
Map of Liptako-Gourma region (Source: aha-international.org)

We raise our hats to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, countries which have signed the Liptako-Gourma Charter, a mutual defense pact to protect their countries, and fight effectively against terrorists which have been occupying the northern parts of their territories.

The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which aims to “establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations“, Colonel and leader of Mali, Assimi Goïta wrote on X.

The Liptako-Gourma area is a region of over 370,000 km2, shared among the three countries, and which has been at the heart of the jihadists’ attack in recent years. It is difficult for a single country to face terrorists or try to defend itself, when those jihadists after attacking one run into the neighboring country in impunity. All three countries are faced with the same issues, and by this charter, they unite their efforts to defend themselves, thus tripling their forces.

Map of Mali with its capital Bamako

“This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts between the three countries“, Mali’s Defence Minister Abdoulaye Diop told journalists. “Our priority is the fight against terrorism in the three countries.”

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to intervene militarily in Niger over the 26 July coup. Mali and Burkina Faso have quickly responded by saying that any such operation would be deemed a “declaration of war” against them (Niger Coup d’Etat: Airspace Closure, Sanctions, Diplomatic Overtures?, All Eyes on Niger, Niger – France Diplomatic Arm Wrestling). Thus the Liptako-Gourma is a clear creation of a defense alliance for these countries, a normal evolution, and a breath of fresh air. As always, united we stand.

Below are excerpts from AfricaNews. The Liptako region was part of the ancient Liptako Emirate, don’t forget to check out the 1891 treaty with France pertaining to the Liptako kingdom.

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Flag of Burkina Faso

The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Saturday signed a mutual defence pact, ministerial delegations from the three Sahel countries announced in Mali’s capital Bamako.

The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goita posted on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter. Its aim is to “establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations“, he wrote.

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A jihadist insurgency that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. All three countries have undergone coups since 2020, most recently Niger, where soldiers in July overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to intervene militarily in Niger over the coup. Mali and Burkina Faso quickly responded by saying that any such operation would be deemed a “declaration of war” against them.

Map of Niger

– Mutual defence pact –

The charter signed on Saturday binds the signatories to assist one another — including militarily — in the event of an attack on any one of them.

“Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties shall be considered as an aggression against the other parties and shall give rise to a duty of assistance… including the use of armed force to restore and ensure security“, it states.

It also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

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French Colonial Treaties in Africa: France in Niger – Liptako 23 Mai 1891

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments1 Comment
Niger_Zinder_Gaya_Liptako_with all modern day regions
Map of modern-day Niger highlighting the Liptako region (in blue) which extended into Mali and Burkina Faso, and Gaya and Zinder.

Here is another treaty signed in Niger, this time in the Liptako region which was part of the Liptako Emirate, a hilly region beginning on the right back of the Niger river, and today part of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Modern-day Liptako, most of which falls in 10 to 19 provinces of Burkina Faso, along with Niger‘s Tera and Say Departments, and small parts of Mali, is a hilly and in parts sparsely populated area. It is also known as Liptako Gourma, from the name of its original historic inhabitants the Gourmantche.  Parfait-Louis Monteil was the French officer who signed this treaty on 23 May 1891 with Boubakar, son of Boari, the King of the Liptako.

Niger_Parfait-Louis_Monteil
Parfait-Louis Monteil: De Saint-Louis a Tripoli par le Lac Tchad, voyage au travers du Soudan et du Sahara accompli pendant les années 1890-91-92. Paris 1895

The French original is found here: Niger_Traite francais de protectorat et de commerce avec le roi du Liptako 23 Mai 1891. It was also translated to Arabic at the time, which was the language of business at the King’s palace and in the region. The English version is brought to you by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com.

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Treaty between France and the Liptako

Between us, Monteil (Parfait Louis), Captain in the general staff of the infantry of Marin, Knight of the legion of Honor, Officer of the Academy, representing the government of the French Republic and imbued with necessary powers, and, Boubakar son of Boari, King of the Liptako, and mandated by him, the following treaty was concluded:

Article I

The King of the Liptako in his name and in the name of his successors places his country under the protectorate of France.

Article II

France acknowledges the independence of the Liptako under the current king and his successors.

France agrees to ensure this independence against attacks from neighboring countries.

Article III

The King of the Liptako commits to protecting by all means in his power the trade of the caravans.

Article IV

The trade will be entirely free in the Liptako, the caravans shall not be subject to any duty either upon arrival or departure.

Article V

In all countries under French domination or protectorate, the caravans coming from the Liptako will be efficiently protected and no duty shall be levied on them.   

Article VI

The French or French subjects who will come to settle in the Liptako for trade will be, they, and their goods, under the sincere protection of the King who will be responsible for any looting or vexation committed against them.  

Article VII

The King of the Liptako agrees not to sign any treaty with another European foreign power without submitting it to the prior sanction of the French government.

Article VIII

As a sign of our effective protection that he can use as a matter of right, the King of the Liptako has received the French flag which he agrees to keep.

Made in Dori, the twenty third of May eighteen ninety one, in two expeditions, including one which was left in the hands of the king to serve him as matter of right, the other one was kept by us.