Pars Today

Pars Today- The developments in the Sahel region in Africa indicate the decline of Western hegemony and an increase in the influence of Russia, Iran and China, which is in line with the new world order.

The Western puppet regimes across the African continent are rapidly dwindling and the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is likely to be the driving force behind the formation of Africa’s Axis of Resistance.

According to the Cradle, the emergence of Axes of Resistance in various geographical locations throughout the world is an inevitable by-product of a long and complex process leading us toward a multipolar world order.

These two issues, i.e. resistance against Western hegemony and the emergence of a multipolar world, are totally complementary to one another.

Now, the Axis of Resistance in West Asia feeds all the Arab and Muslim countries, and can be thought of as the soul of the Axis of Resistance in the Sahel region of Africa, from west to east, from Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to Chad, Sudan and Eritrea.

The importance of elections in Senegal in strengthening the axis of resistance in the Sahel region

Contrary to Niger, where the change of power against the Western neo-colonialism was accompanied by a military coup, the change in Senegal happened directly through elections.

The landslide victory of 44-year-old Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Senegal's general election on March 24 led the country into a new era.

The former tax inspector, who has just served a two-week prison sentence, and carries the title of pro-underclass African leader, was able to oust the puppet leader beholden to France, Macky Sall, defeating him in the elections.

The upcoming president of Senegal now joins 36-year-old Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso, 46-year-old Abiy Ahmed in Ethiopia, 48-year-old Andry Rajoelina in Madagascar, and 44-year-old Julius Malema in South Africa in the new trend of the continent.

The young generation of Pan-African leaders are now focusing on how to govern their sovereign states.

It seems that the main axis of these changes is "geo-economic". Senegal has become a major oil and gas producer, and now the new President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, plans to renegotiate mining and energy deals, including the biggest deals with BP and British gold mine operator Endeavor Mining.

He also plans to abandon the exploitative CFA franc, the French-controlled currency system used in 14 African countries, and is even seeking to create a new currency to reshape relations with neo-colonial power, France -- Senegal's main trading partner. President Faye is also looking for a win-win partnership with China.

Washington's fear of Niger's proximity to Iran and Russia

Of course, the new president of Senegal has not yet determined whether he intends to expel the French troops from his country or not.

If this happens, it will be an unprecedented blow to Paris, because Emmanuel Macron and the French establishment consider Senegal as the main player around Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which have already turned away from France.

These three governments, which have recently formed the Alliance of Sahel States are not only Paris' big nightmare after serial humiliations, but also a big problem for the United States, which is a clear manifestation of the huge failure of military cooperation between Washington and Niger.

Naturally, the US-aligned countries have not paid due attention to the growing diplomatic ties between Russia and Africa, including all key players from the Sahel region to the new BRICS African members, Egypt and Ethiopia.

For example, now the United States must announce the exact time of the withdrawal of its troops from Niger after canceling the security and military cooperation pact.

In fact, the Pentagon can no longer be involved in military training in Niger.

The United States has two strategic bases in “Agadez” and “Niamey”, which the Pentagon has spent more than 150 million dollars to build. “Niamey” was completed in 2019 and is managed by the US Africa Command, AFRICOM.

Almost 1,000 US troops are likely to face expulsion soon, and the Americans are desperately trying to stop this from happening. In this regard, last month, Molly Phee, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, visited Niger twice.

It should be noted that the loss of these bases means the proximity of Niger to Russia and Iran, and they are necessary for observing Bab al-Mandab Strait. In this regard, in January 2024, a big delegation from Niger visited Moscow.

Humiliation of France and the possible reaction of the US

The Western puppet regimes across the African continent are rapidly fading away and the Alliance of Sahel States, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, is likely to be the driving force behind the formation of the African Axis of Resistance.

On the other hand, Russia in terms of diplomacy and China in terms of trade, through strengthening their strategic partnership, have opened a special account on the African countries as the key players in the multipolar world order.

The presence of the African countries and politicians such as the charismatic Pan-African Leader, Kémi Séba from Benin, in the "Multipolarity Forum" in Moscow is a step in this direction.

France's total humiliation in the Sahel region is probably one of the reasons for Emmanuel Macron's crushing threats to send French troops to Ukraine, as well as the current Russophobia in Armenia.

Historically, African countries viewed the Soviet Union as much more flexible and even protective of their natural resources, and this has now been inherited by China.

The Alliance of Sahel States, as a platform for regional convergence, has what it takes to become a game-changer.

Senegal will probably join it, but Guinea is of great importance due to its geographical capacity in access to the sea. This will lead to the gradual dissolution of the economic community of the West African countries, ECOWAS, under the control of the West.

However, the powerful roots of the Western hegemon should never be ignored. The Pentagon's comprehensive plan in Africa is aimed at countering the multipolar influence of Russia, China and Iran. But no country in the Axis of the Resistance of the Sahel region buys the US "terrorist threat" card.