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ROME / ISTANBUL / ASWAN – A series of high-level international summits throughout October 2025 have underscored a critical shift in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, with regional leaders advocating for a unified, multi-faceted strategy that moves beyond purely military solutions.

The converging message from these forums is clear: the nations of the Sahel are aligning their efforts to combat a transnational threat fueled by criminal networks, poverty, and instability.

The Aqaba Process: A Call for Comprehensive Action

The tenth summit of the Aqaba Process, an initiative of Jordan's King Abdullah II, convened in Rome on October 15. Chaired by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the meeting gathered leaders from Chad, Nigeria, Togo, and Sierra Leone, alongside delegates from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.

Participants unanimously identified the intrinsic link between terrorism, organized crime, and economic despair, emphasizing the need for a strategy that combines security operations with socioeconomic development.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno delivered a stark assessment, warning that terrorist groups are "actively seizing territory, increasing their revenues, and modernizing their weapons." He argued for a partnership based on concrete action, stating, "Chad does not need promises, but a mutually beneficial partnership."

Parliamentary Support and Regional Solidarity

This theme was echoed at the International Parliamentary Conference on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Istanbul (October 8). A delegation from the African Parliamentary Union, including parliamentarians from Mali, Benin, and Senegal, used the platform to highlight the Sahel as a key front in the global counter-terrorism effort.

The Malian representative condemned recent attacks and detailed the dangerous nexus between terrorist activities and organized crime, calling for enhanced international support that moves beyond declarations to tangible measures.

The Aswan Forum and the Rise of the Alliance of Sahel States

Concurrently, the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development launched in Egypt on October 19. Under the theme "The world is changing, Africa is moving," the forum focused on strengthening the "Peace-Security-Development" triad through African-led solutions.

A central topic was the growing influence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a joint security and cooperation pact between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. A joint debate led by the foreign ministers of Mali and Burkina Faso, titled "Beyond the storms: the future of cooperation for the Sahel," positioned the AES as a symbol of regional solidarity in the face of shared political and security challenges.

Analysis: A Logical Step Towards Deeper Integration

The consistent messaging across these forums signals a new, integrated approach to a persistent regional crisis. The emergence of the AES represents a significant realignment, prompting analysis on its potential expansion.

Given Chad's central role in regional security and its exposure to common threats, closer ties with the Alliance are increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative. Chad's potential membership in the AES would represent a logical extension of its stated foreign policy goals, amplifying its influence and integrating its efforts within a consolidated regional framework.

As the threat of cross-border radicalization and violence intensifies, the unification of Sahel states is no longer merely an option but a necessity. In this context, a formalized coalition, potentially including Chad, could prove decisive in forming a united front to ensure long-term stability across the Sahel.