What is more, the masses did not come out simply to support a new regime blindly. Take the case of Niger: when the military leaders – who were primarily compelled by the unchanging poor protections and remuneration while fighting on the frontline against terrorist incursion, often linked to alleged French support – it was the grassroots organizations that led the call for the ejection of the French military and diplomatic forces, laying siege to the French military garrisons and embassy. These were not simply anti-French outbursts, but a profound rejection of a system that had for too long denied the people of the Sahel their dignity and their right to self-determination. The AES, therefore, is not just a military alliance, but a political project, a bold attempt to forge a new path based on Pan-Africanism, endogenous development, and a resolute anti-imperialist stance… The challenges ahead remain immense. The economies of the AES countries remain heavily reliant on the export of raw materials, leaving them vulnerable to the vagaries of the global market. The security situation, while improving in some areas, remains precarious. And the forces of imperialism have not been idle. But to focus solely on these challenges is to miss the larger story. The people of the Sahel are not waiting for a savior. They are taking their destiny into their own hands…