Sahel: terrorism but also demography.
A rapid population growth, a very young age profile, a very high fertility rate and a strong and uncontrolled urbanization, these are some of the Sahel specificities identified by the much respected Atlantic Council (United States). For this well-documented work, it has benefited from the professionalism of two consultants, including Stephen Smith, recognized for his expertise and writings on the region. Added and to be associated to these realities is the ever-increasing terrorist groups violence. In the Sahel they have find the most favorable geographical and political spaces.
Beyond domestic problems, largely at the roots of their internal insecurity – political, economic and social including, again and again, slavery – the G 5 Sahel countries face enormous internal challenges presented in the attached paper . And there are many more.
The war raging in Ukrainia since February 24 is tragic in terms of its ensuing human losses and the massive material destruction that have already been done. It is particularly central due to the issues opposing the many states involved. World economic and military powers clashing in a Europe that, since 1940, has not known an armed conflict of this dimension! The last one, horrendous, that of the former Yugoslavia (today recomposed of several sovereign states), did not include either the same strategic stakes or the same global scope as the one currently taking place. It is certainly far from over yet and the assessment of its various human and economic costs, as well as its diplomatic and military impacts, will still take time.