AES: The dark winter or imperialist hypocrisy? When Washington disguises itself as a Christian saviour in the name of its expansionist policy
President Traoré’s warning of a “black winter” preparing to descend upon the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is not a meteorological forecast, but a political one. It signals the reheating of a classic imperialist recipe, now served with a humanitarian sauce.
The proof comes from Nigeria, a regional giant standing on feet of clay and American drones.
Unable to secure its own territory, West Africa’s largest economy has effectively gifted a portion of its sovereignty to the United States.
Under the sudden and convenient pretext of “protecting Christians” in the north, Washington has decided to launch its own strikes in 2025.
Such altruism! One might be moved to tears, if it weren’t so clearly about resource access, geopolitical control, and taming a potential regional rival.
This tragic farce is a live-fire test. The script, visible only under the light of Western interests, is simple: 1) Identify an endangered religious minority, 2) Declare the state “failed,” 3) Wave the banner of the “Responsibility to Protect,” 4) Send in the missiles, “advisors,” and military bases. Presto.
The message to the AES is clear: “You in Bamako, Ouagadougou, and Niamey, who expelled our ambassadors and armies, who dare to look elsewhere for partners; you are next on the list. You also have Christians? Conflicts? Perfect. We have a military solution ready.”
It is astounding to witness Nigeria auction off its security sovereignty. But it is more frightening to understand the precedent it sets a custom-made right of intervention.
Tomorrow, under the false pretext of “saving” a community, an intervention against Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger could be justified. The threat is not just military; it is narrative.
It involves fabricating a media reality where AES states are “rogue” and abandoned, requiring salvation by white knights… with hands full of oil and uranium.
So let us prepare for this “black winter.” But let us be clear: the storm will not blow in from the desert, but from Hollywood studios and the air-conditioned offices of the State Department, where the same scripts of predation have been written for decades, with only the costumes and pretexts changed.
The AES must stay united, vigilant, and above all, mock with fierce irony this tearful comedy attempting to mask a new act of plunder. The farce is so crude it’s insulting. Let us laugh, so we do not weep.
