The announcement was made by Niger’s Army chief, Moussa Salaou Barmou, during a televised address in Niamey on Wednesday, following discussions between the three nations.

While specific details regarding the size and operational framework of the joint force were not provided, it is evident that the escalating activities of groups affiliated with both Islamic State and al-Qaeda have prompted this collaborative effort.

These extremist organizations have inflicted significant casualties in the region over the past year, necessitating a coordinated response.

In recent months, the military administrations of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have been forging closer ties, culminating in the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) last September.

This mutual defense pact superseded their involvement in the international G5 force and underscores their commitment to addressing the security challenges within the Sahel region.

Despite assurances from the military regimes to confront the decade-long conflict with jihadist elements, violence in the Sahel has persisted and even intensified in recent years.

The withdrawal of French military presence, along with the termination of UN peacekeeping mission Minusma in Mali, has left a void that these nations are endeavoring to fill through strengthened ties with Russia.

Moreover, the decision to exit the West African economic bloc ECOWAS signifies a significant shift in geopolitical alignments.

Although the military regimes had faced suspension and sanctions from ECOWAS, recent efforts towards dialogue have led to the partial lifting or easing of some sanctions.

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The man, who first spotted a Burkinabe with a loaded handgun at the Hamile Roman Catholic Church in the Upper West region, has been narrating how the suspect was arrested on Sunday.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Monday, Mr George Naiku said he met the man on his way to church insisting he wants to join him to his church.

“I met this man on my way to church but he was speaking French and because I didn’t understand French, the only thing I heard him say was bell meaning church bell and so we went to church together and we entered the church together,” he said.

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Mr Naiku said because members of the community were wary of terror threats following recent trends, he raised an alarm where he was interrogated and that was how it was detected that he had a gun on him.

He was later handed over to the police for investigations amid increased threat of terror attacks in churches in the sub-region.

The gun was loaded with two rounds of ammunition.

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He said though the man’s demeanor was normal, it was important that they took precautions first.

According to the police, the suspect is under investigations and will be processed for court immediately investigations are over.

The police said during his interrogation he told them he acquired [the gun] in Burkina Faso and licensed it there.

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“He showed the documents to the police but they are holding him currently for possessing a firearm without authority,” he added.

Click on attached audio above and listen to full interview:

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

I send my deepest sympathies to the affected families and to the government and the people of the brotherly nation of Burkina Faso.

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) August 17, 2017

The presentation was done by the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

Mr Akufo-Addo’s two-day tour of Burkina Faso was to strengthen Ghana’s ties with the Francophone country, with the development of railway infrastructure, agriculture and water resources top of his agenda.

In a joint communiqué issued at the end of his visit on Friday, May 5, 2017, it was resolved that the two countries reinforce their co-operation in the areas of railway transport, agriculture, water, security, trade, works and housing, and energy.

Nana Akufo-Addo has since left that country for La Cote d’Ivoire.