The junta leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger reaffirmed their commitment to the new alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) on Dec. 30. The AES sees three junta-led countries distance themselves from the larger West African political bloc after coups in all three. The new alliance has signed a NATO-style pact that binds the signatories to assist one another in the event of an attack on any one of them. Russia has reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after it was shut more than 30 years ago, officials have said. This comes after the last French soldiers left Niger earlier this month, with Paris taking the unusual step of closing its embassy in Niamey. Watch this video to know more.