The Sahel, a 3,860 km wide region situated south of the Sahara and stretching from east to west across the African continent, has recently grow to be the center of worldwide attention.
In the last decade, problems comparable to terrorism, uncertainty AND human trafficking characterised this region.
Over the past few years, military takeovers have been a serious source of concern in the region and beyond. As of 2020, the region has 4 successful coups and three failed.
The coup in Niger particularly attracted attention. This is because Niger was seen as “beloved west” and a model of democratic management in the region.
Despite the challenges facing the region, the fight for the Sahel stays intense.
The fundamental actors in this confusion are European UnionFrance, Russia, China and the United States.
The EU is counting on Sahel countries, especially Niger, to stop mass illegal immigration into the bloc. Niger is the fundamental transit country in the region. Niger until recently cooperated with the EU in security and defense partnerships, when the country unilaterally canceled the contracts. This is a cause for concern for the EU.
Why are these foreign powers interested in the Sahel?
How scholar in diplomacy and possessions examined region for over ten years, the fundamental reasons I see are as follows:
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availability of natural resources
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strategic location of the region in Africa
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economic interests of the countries participating in the struggle
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cooperation in the field of defense and security in the type of arms sales.
All foreign powers have their reasons for getting involved in the fight for the Sahel.
France
Most of the countries in the Sahel region were colonized by France. Unlike Britain, France maintains strong links with its former colonies. They cooperate, amongst others, in the economy, defense and extraction of raw materials.
France has first law to buy any natural resources discovered in all its former colonies. Although relations between France and its former colonies appeared cordial, recent coups in Francophone countries and anti-French sentiment across Africa have shown just the opposite.
The attacks followed big demonstrations against France and supporting the putschists.
Despite these rifts, France is keen to keep up control over these countries, particularly in terms of military cooperation and resource extraction. France reluctantly withdrew its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger despite those countries ending their military partnership. It continues to extract natural resources in these countries.
Russia
Relations between Russia and many Sahel countries were established during the Cold War and colonial era. Recently, pressure from Western countries on human rightsespecially during anti-terrorist operations, it brought the Sahel countries closer to Russia.
While Western allies demand the rule of law, democracy and human rights in exchange for security and economic support, Russia presents itself in another way. The invasion Ukraine by Russia in 2022 has also increased Russia’s interest in the Sahel, which wants to keep up allies in Africa.
Russia has openly supported military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso and warned against any military intervention in Niger after the military took power. In addition, Wagner groupa controversial private military company controlled by Russia cooperates with some Sahel countries. Niger has broken defense agreement with the EU and moved to Russia. All these aspects explain Russia’s interest in the Sahel.
China
Like Russia, China presents itself as an alternative choice to the traditional ally (France) of the Sahel countries. With the mantra “no interference“And”respecting sovereignty”, China has strengthened itself as a “partner” of the Sahel countries.
The Sahel region is wealthy in natural resources comparable to oil, uranium, natural gas and lithium. Chinese state-owned enterprises work in Niger, Chad, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Mali, for example, potentially has this certainly one of the biggest lithium reserves in the world, similar to China’s Ganfeng Lithium invested strongly in the country. Moreover, despite the development of military equipment in China, most of the weapons haven’t been tested. China is desirous to use the conflicts in the Sahel for this purpose test its defense products.
United States
In 2019, the United States opened its own the largest drone database in Africa in Agadez-Niger. I had it the 12 months before written about the base’s security implications for the region.
Unlike France and China, which have extensive economic interests in the Sahel region, the United States has strong military interests. Niger in particular is strategically situated, and the United States can easily send surveillance and reconnaissance drones from the country to cover the Sahel and West and Central Africa.
While France is being pushed out militarily by its former colonies in the region, the United States is attempting to fill the gap to forestall Russia and China from establishing an extra military presence.
In order to not lose strategic military cooperation and dominance, it took the United States several months to acknowledge the military takeover in Niger as a coup d’état.
The 12 months 2023 was particularly difficult for the Sahel countries. The region stays unstable, facing a wide range of problems starting from economic instability to insecurity. Despite the instability and fragility, the fight for the region stays intense, with traditional allies comparable to France losing control and other powers gaining strength.
The Sahel shall be an area to look at in 2024 and beyond.
