Risks and Threats in the Western Sahel. Radicalization and Terrorism in the Sub-Region

Abstract

This article addresses the most important security challenges existing in the Western Sahel countries, an emerging sub-region encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. The sub-region is very much affected by developments in neighboring countries such as Algeria, Libya, and Nigeria, among others. A number of recent processes – the Arab revolts and their effects in Libya and Egypt, the reinforcement of Boko Haram as a regional terrorist threat, etc – have contributed to aggravate insecurity in a region that suffers environmental problems, political instability, inter-communitarian tensions and illegal traffi cking since a number of decades ago. All these risks and threats are inviting states and international organizations to become more and more involved in order to provide responses and, eventually, solutions.

Keywords

• al qaida in the lands of the islamic maghreb (aqim)
• ansar eddine
• boko haram
• cemoc (coordination of major staffs from algeria niger mali and mauritania)
• g-5 sahel organization
• illegal trafficking
• minusma (united nations mission for the stabilization of mali)
• mujao (movement for unity and jihad in western africa)