Hold Your Fire! Military Rulers and Jihadist Rebels in the Sahel
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Jun 14, 2025 Comfort Ero, President and CEO of Crisis Group, recently visited Mali, sharing insights on the diverging political paths of Sahelian countries. Jean-Hervé Jezequel, the Sahel director, highlights the military regimes' sovereignty claims and the growing public frustration linked to stagnating economic and security conditions. They delve into the jihadist coalition JNIM, discussing its increased attacks and the challenges of potential peace talks as military leaders prioritize operations. A complex analysis of foreign relations within the shifting dynamics of the region rounds out the conversation.
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Sahel's Shifting Regional Dynamics
- The Sahel region has split from traditional West African power centers like Nigeria and ECOWAS, forming its own distinct political and regional identity.
- This new dynamic reflects broader global geopolitical shifts and regional disagreements in West Africa.
Imperialism and New Alliances
- The decline of French influence preceded and motivated the rise of military regimes in the Sahel, who now assert sovereignty and pursue new alliances.
- Russia's involvement is opportunistic, exploiting the region's distancing from France amid its own global sanctions.
Sovereignty's Practical Challenge
- Sahelian military regimes emphasize sovereignty to reclaim control but face deep economic, security, and governance challenges.
- Practical sovereignty must address basic needs like education, electricity, and job creation to be meaningful.