Credit: issafrica.org /  The crisis-stricken Sahel currently epitomises the myriad of challenges facing the African continent

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The crisis in the Sahel region of west Africa is worsening amid violent extremism, drought, localised conflict over natural resources, transnational organised crime, and more recently the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sahel currently epitomizes the myriad of challenges facing the African continent, according to experts attending a recent panel discussion in the region sponsored by the Institute For Security Studies. Titled  ‘Addressing Insecurity in The Sahel’, the panel warned that insecurity is moving beyond the Group of 5 Sahel countries into littoral states in West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin.  While the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres  has called for warring parties across the world to lay down their weapons in support of the bigger battle against  COVID-19 (the common enemy that is now threatening all of humankind), extremists in the Sahel appear to be emboldened by the pandemic.  The virtual video panel conversation brought together policymakers to share their perspectives on human security in the Sahel and West Africa.  The Speakers included:   HE Pierre Buyoya, African Union (AU) High Representative for Mali and the Sahel ; Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel ; and  HE Abdoulaye Mohamed, Deputy Executive Secretary, Conseil de l’Entente. 

“In the Sahel and Lake chad region, the extremists have not even headed the UN Secretary-General’s call for a ceasefire. Death and conflict, on the contrary, has intensified leading to increased displacement of the population. There have been attacks on humanitarian workers, kidnappings. This is also quite worrying.”

-Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel

Credit: UN / Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS. 

 African Militant Islamist Groups Set Record for Violent Activity

According to a report by Africa Center for Strategic Studies, African militant Islamist groups have demonstrated a decade of nearly uninterrupted growth in violent activity, though the focus of this has shifted over time. Militant groups in the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, and Mozambique have exhibited the sharpest increases in violent activity over the past year.

The Sahel has seen the most dramatic escalation of violence since mid-2017. Events linked to the groups that formed the coalition of Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) collectively grew nearly sevenfold since that time (from 147 events to 999 events for the 12 months ending June 30, 2020). The majority of violent attacks in the Sahel in 2020 were in Burkina Faso (516 vs. 361 in Mali and 118 in Niger).

The Lake Chad Basin saw a near doubling of activity since June 2017 (from 506 events to 964). Facing a relatively new threat, Mozambique saw an almost sevenfold increase (from 39 events in 2018 to 306 for the 12 months prior to June 30, 2020).

COVID-19 Draining Scarce Resources in Africa; Schools closing 

Dr. Chambas also  pointed out that governments have had to spend scarce resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, restricting movements, closing down airports, and restricting inter-regional trade, closing of schools.  “The closure of schools have had impact on children’s education. A study shows that more female students have dropped out and violence and rape against young girls and women has increased during the period of COVID-19, ” Dr. Chambas said.

Negative Impact on Economies in Africa 

“Prior to COVID, many west African economies were growing at  a steady 5 percent rate. Nigeria, the  biggest economy in the region, is now forecast to go into recession,” Dr. Chambas said.

Lexis Between Organized Crime, Natural Resources,  and Extremists

Dr. Chambas spoke on another worrisome trend:  “There is a lexis between organized crime and violent extremists with reports of some taking over  gold mines and controlling precious minerals which are becoming a big source of revenue to fund extremist violence.”

Credit:  UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré /    HE Pierre Buyoya, former President of Burundi and High Representative of the African Union for Mali and the Sahel

MALI Crisis Threatens Entire Sahel Stability

The West African nation Mali has been hit by protests, sparked by the outcome of parliamentary elections in March and April, perceived discontent over the government’s handling of Mali’s jihadist insurgency and worsening economic situation.  The U.N. Human Rights Office is calling for an investigation into use of deadly violence by an elite counter-terrorism force in Mali against anti-government protestors leaving 14 persons killed. 

“In Mali, we are going through a serious crisis due to disputed elections. It all started on June 5 over discontent over the congressional  courts actions that created a lot of discontent in Bamako and other parts of Mali. They are now calling for the resignation of the president.”

HE Pierre Buyoya, African Union (AU) High Representative for Mali

“Despite the efforts of the UN(and foreign troops) in the Sahel, the security situation is worsening. There is a danger for the whole of West Africa.”

Former NIGERIA President Jonathan Appointed ECOWAS Special Envoy -MALI 

Actualité du Premier Ministre |#ARRIVEE DE LA MISSION DE BONS OFFICES DE LA CEDEAO AU MALI

Le Premier ministre, Dr Boubou Cissé a accueilli cet après-midi, au p la délégation de la CEDEAO suite⤵️https://t.co/UdoReVXSbJ@ecowas_cedeao pic.twitter.com/BNzTpds21F

— Gouvernement du MALI (@GouvernementM) July 15, 2020

Former Nigeria President  Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan  has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

SAHEL Challenges Not  Just About Security,  but a Political Solution

Dr. Buyoya pointed out that the crisis in the Sahel cannot be resolved by solely focusing on security, but that a political solution must be found:

“Mali is at the epicenter of what is happening in the  Sahel.”

-HE Pierre Buyoya, African Union (AU) High Representative for Mali