Ten Years of Crisis in the Sahel Region. Perspectives for an EU Contribution to Peace and Security

Ten years from its outbreak, the Sahel crisis has assumed a new dimension in terms of degeneration of legitimate governance and regional security structures (ECOWAS and African Union), compounded by an increasing regional competition as emerging powers are also seeking to expand their influence in the region. A spate of successful military coups in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea and Mali proved that the region continues to be highly politically instable, plagued by violence and fragmented in areas of limited statehood.
The European Union has been involved in the Sahel since 2011, when the Council adopted the first EU strategy for the Sahel, advancing a mere security-oriented perspective to the region. With the new integrated strategy approved by the Council in 2021, particular emphasis is provided to the political dimension of the region, with a particular focus on governance, human rights, rule of law, democracy and fight against corruption. Against this backdrop, the research project seeks to identify potential solutions to foster peace and security, as well as democracy and development in the region. At all stages of the project, a gender sensitive perspective will be brought forward, and issues linked to women protection and their active participation in peace and security processes will be thoroughly examined.

Funding: Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS)