Sahel: sprawling cigarettes muggling

Avr 11, 2026rootNon classé

Paul Amara, Consultant, Centre des stratégies pour la sécurité du Sahel Sahara, Centre4s.org

Cigarette smuggling generates billions of dollars annually worldwide, including in the Sahel. This complex trade originates in the Balkans and the United Arab Emirates, passes through North Africa, and ends in Libya, from where it streams into the Sahel. Libya is therefore considered the hub of cigarette smuggling in the Sahel. Widespread corruption, porous borders, and a lack of cooperation between countries fuel the growth of cigarette smuggling. The identifiable actors involved are also numerous. These include major countries, major brands, criminals, government officials, and terrorists who operate throughout the Sahel. The scale of the problem makes combating it a monumental task.

International relations in turmoil

Mar 23, 2026rootNon classé

Ahmedou Ould Abdallah Président centre de Stratégie Sécurité Sahel Sahara (centre4s)

An enormous danger and already a human and economic reality for over three weeks! The war launched against Iran is further exacerbating the turmoil and anxieties in a world already reeling and powerless in the face of the conflict unfolding in Ukraine and the open massacres in Gaza. Not to mention the civil wars in Africa, particularly those devastating Sudan and the Sahel as well as the war waged by the Afghan Talibans both at home and against Pakistan.

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.