- In the last decade, issues such as terrorism, insecurity and trafficking have characterised the region.
- Military takeovers have been a major source of concern in the region and beyond in the last few years.
- This is because Niger was seen as a “darling of the west” and a model for democratic governance in the region.
- The main actors in this scramble are the European Union, France, Russia, China and the United States.
availability of natural resources
strategic location of the region in Africa
economic interests of the countries involved in the scramble
defence and security cooperation in the form of arms sales.
Foreign powers all have their reasons to be involved in the scramble for the Sahel.
France
- Unlike Britain, France has maintained strong links with former colonies.
- Despite these cracks, France is keen to maintain its grip on these countries, especially pertaining to military cooperation and resource extraction.
- France was reluctant to pull its military out of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger despite the countries severing military partnerships.
Russia
- More recently, the emphasis by western countries on human rights, especially during counterterrorism operations, has pushed Sahelian countries closer to Russia.
- While western allies demand the rule of law, democracy, and human rights in return for security and economic support, Russia portrays itself differently.
- Furthermore, the Wagner group, the controversial private military company which is controlled by Russia, cooperates with some countries in the Sahel.
China
- Like Russia, China portrays itself as an alternative to the traditional ally (France) of Sahelian countries.
- With a mantra of “non-interference” and “respecting sovereignty”, China has entrenched itself as a “partner” of countries in the Sahel.
- China is keen to use the conflicts in the Sahel to test its arms products.
The United States
- A year before that, I had written about the security implications of the base for the region.
- Unlike France and China, which both have extensive economic interests in the Sahel, the US has a strong military interest.
- Niger, in particular, is strategically located and the US can easily fly surveillance and reconnaissance drones from the country to cover the Sahel, west and central Africa.
Olayinka Ajala does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.