The purpose of G5 Sahel was to strengthen the bond between economic development and security,[5] and together battle the threat of jihadist organizations operating in the region (AQIM, MOJWA, Al-Mourabitoun, and Boko Haram).

[6] On 1 August 2014, France launched a counterterrorism mission, Operation Barkhane, deploying 3,000 soldiers in the member states of G5 Sahel.

[citation needed] In June 2017, France requested that the United Nations Security Council approve the deployment of a counterterrorism task force consisting of 10,000 soldiers to G5 Sahel.

[14] The next day, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved the deployment of a G5 Sahel counterterrorism task force.

[20] Following coup d'états in September 2022 in Burkina Faso and in July 2023 in Niger, the leaders of both countries announced on 2 December 2023 that they would withdraw from all instances of the alliance, citing that it was "failing to reach its objectives".