The Maghreb and Sahel regions have been plagued for more than a decade by endemic crises of a hybrid nature. The war in Libya, which began in 2011, followed by the independence claims in Mali in 2012, have further complicated the deleterious security landscape to which the Liptako Grouma (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger) is subject. Insecurity, caused by the gradual installation of what can be called "entrepreneurs of violence," began in the northern regions of Mali. It has spread rapidly to neighboring countries (Burkina Faso and Niger). This insecurity induced by extremist groups has grown considerably and has become more deadly with inter-community tensions and conflicts.The seriousness of this security disruption is most evident in the complex challenges faced in cross-border regions spanning several countries (Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Ghana). In addition to their long and porous borders, the central governments of these countries struggle to maintain order and ensure the delivery of public services in their cross-border areas. This paper will map the security situation in the Sahel, discuss the responses of state and non-state actors to date, analyze the expansion of the threat to coastal countries, and outline the outlook.

Presenter:

• Aly Tounkara, Director Centre des Études Sécuritaires et Stratégiques au Sahel (CE3S)

Discussants:

• Ludovic Kibora, Director Institut des Sciences des Sociétés (INSS/CNRST)
• Seidu Alidu, Department of Political Science, University of Ghana
• Jalilu Ateku, Department of Political Science, University of Ghana

Chair:

• Susann Baller, Director Merian Institute for Advanced Studies in Africa (MIASA)/ DHI Paris

The presentation will be given in French with simultaneous English translation