Sahel: the quest for military satellite surveillance

Fév 9, 2026rootNon classé

Paul AMARA, Consultant, Center for Strategies for Security in the Sahel and Sahara, Centre4s.org

Following the disruption of their relations with the French and American militaries, Sahel countries have forged new partnerships to obtain satellite imagery. These tools—precious in the fight against terrorism and trafficking in drugs, weapons, gold, migrants, human beings, cigarettes, and fuel—are proliferating. As early as November 2023, Mali signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian company Glavkomos, specialized in space activities. This agreement allowed it to improve internet, telecommunications, television, and territorial surveillance coverage. Other countries followed suit, displaying increasingly ambitious space goals. Thus, they are considering launching military observation satellites, either jointly or individually.

Sahel : Ecowas anti terrorism brigade

Jan 15, 2026rootNon classé

Paul AMARA, Consultant Centre des stratégies pour la sécurité du Sahel Sahara, Centre 4s.org

According to ECOWAS figures, more than 450 attacks were recorded in West Africa in 2025. They caused nearly 1,900 deaths, in addition to the dramatic displacement of populations. Meeting in Abuja on December 15, 2025, for their 68th Summit, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government decided to put an end to the attacks by JNIM, ISGS, and Boko Haram and its splinter group, Lakurawa. To that end, they decided to establish a brigade of 1,650 soldiers by the end of 2026.On the spot, they allocated US$2.85 million to each of the five coastal member states most affected by terrorism: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo.

Sahel: Gold at the heart of relations with the United Arab Emirates

Déc 13, 2025rootNon classé

Paul Amara, Center for Sahel-Saharan Security Strategies, Centre4s.org

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strong diplomatic relations with the Sahel, also based on the precious metal: gold. Concerned countries are: Sudan, Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Mauritania. Togo, a gold producer, is also of interest. All these countries are also fighting terrorism, which the UAE is combating everywhere. In 2024, the UAE imported nearly 1,400 tons of gold, worth over $105 billion, more than half of which—$748 billion—came from Africa.1 While its traceability is not always proven, the UAE promises transparency. Between 2018 and 2023, they provided $750 million in aid to the then G5 Sahel countries.

Sahel: the problem of ransoms payments

Nov 25, 2025rootNon classé

Paul Amara, Consultant, Strategy, Security, Sahel Sahara (Centre4s.org)

In the Sahel: should ransoms be paid to jihadists to free foreign hostages? This debate has been going on since at least 2003. Indeed, paying ransoms offers a chance of saving lives, but it also encourages, or even perpetuates, that practice. It is indeed an old debate. Refusing to loosen the purse strings is sometimes tantamount to signing the hostages’ death warrants. Given the complexity of the operation, sooner or later, countries end up using both methods, even if it means not revealing what really happened behind the scenes. Hostage trafficking remains a thriving business. Thanks to it, terrorist groups buy weapons, recruit new members and perpetuate the system.

Sahel: Are drones still relevant there?

Oct 21, 2025rootNon classé

Limam Nadawa, Consultant, Sahel Center for Security Strategies Sahara Centre 4s.org

Conflicts in the Sahel are entering into a major technological shift. In addition to ground combats, terrorists are increasingly using drones. That development is changing the balance of power on the ground. The armed terrorist groups (ATGs) weapons abilities, the appropriations they make from national armies stocks following combat, commercial logic and global geopolitics have all contributed to this phenomenon. Sahel armies, for whom these vectors were a panacea, are now rethinking their use. Therefore, with drones’ destructive impacts, the battle in the Sahel skies includes the fight in the electronic field.