Sahel: Mali, a thorn in the G5 foot.
The Sahel countries are facing the following dilemma: how to fight terrorism without the cooperation of that scourge epicenter ei Mali? The Transition regime pushed the French force Barkhane and the European group of special forces, Takuba, to leave its territory. Instead, Bamako chose to resort to the Russian paramilitary company, Wagner. The ruling junta has withdrawn Mali from the G5 Sahel. Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) have deserted the outposts of the three borders (Burkina, Mali and Niger) strategic zone. Now, the country seems to be confined within its territorial limits and deaf to calls for cooperation from its embarrassed neighbors.
The choice of theme – Sahel, Maghreb and Europe Union – is topical and moreover operational, that is to say ready for implementation. It is indeed wise to link the long and multifaceted security crisis in the Sahel to the security of these two other geopolitical spaces, the Maghreb and Europe… its northern continuation.
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.