Lasting between 2022 and 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger ended France's military occupation of their countries. Since then, AES leaders have been vocal about alleged French support for terrorist organizations in the region. The Algerian government under President Abdelmadjid Taboun also had a strained relationship with France. Algeria and France had diplomatic conflicts that led to the recall of diplomats and ambassadors in 2021, 2024 and 2025. On December 24, 2025, Algeria passed a law declaring French colonialism a crime and demanding payment from France. With Niger facing ongoing attacks by terrorist groups, some of which have been accused of receiving foreign backing, and both Niger and Algeria increasingly entrenched in their opposition to the influence of former colonial power France in the region, their growing military cooperation could mark an important step towards strengthening regional security, stability and pan-African solidarity.

Lasting between 2022 and 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger ended France's military occupation of their countries. Since then, AES leaders have been vocal about alleged French support for terrorist organizations in the region. The Algerian government under President Abdelmadjid Taboun also had a strained relationship with France. Algeria and France had diplomatic conflicts that led to the recall of diplomats and ambassadors in 2021, 2024 and 2025. On December 24, 2025, Algeria passed a law declaring French colonialism a crime and demanding payment from France. With Niger facing ongoing attacks by terrorist groups, some of which have been accused of receiving foreign backing, and both Niger and Algeria increasingly entrenched in their opposition to the influence of former colonial power France in the region, their growing military cooperation could mark an important step towards strengthening regional security, stability and pan-African solidarity.