"Mali’s transitional president and current chair of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), General Assimi Goita, welcomed Niger’s transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Bamako on Monday ahead of the second AES Summit of Heads of State. Footage shows President Tchiani’s aircraft arriving in the Malian capital, followed by a formal military welcome. The two leaders exchanged a military salute and a fist bump before their motorcade departed, greeting crowds gathered along the route. The summit, scheduled to take place from December 22 to 23, is expected to focus on activating the alliance’s joint military force, deepening economic integration, and reinforcing national sovereignty. The talks come after the three member states completed their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is expected to join the summit later. Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally exited ECOWAS in September 2023 and subsequently established the Alliance of Sahel States. Since then, the three countries have pursued policies aimed at reducing dependence on ECOWAS and France, including plans to move away from the CFA franc, which is backed by the French Treasury."