European failures in the Sahel: Insights from the field

The recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger reflect how new military rulers seek to redefine regional dynamics. Amid great power rivalry, how does the coups impact European engagements in the Sahel?

Register here: https://www.diis.dk/en/node/27054/

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In West Africa’s Sahel region, the evolving geopolitical landscape is profoundly shifting. Once considered key strategic allies of Western powers, some Sahelian nations have rejected European and international interventions altogether. Challenging traditional power dynamics, Sahelian nations now increasingly turn to security partners such as Russia, reinforcing to the broader narrative of shifting global orders. These shifts reflect a broader sentiment of disillusionment with Western policies and a desire to reclaim sovereignty.

In this context, European efforts in the Sahel have come under increasing scrutiny, particularly as security collaboration between Sahelian states and European actors has faltered.
Against this backdrop, it is imperative to critically assess the effectiveness of European initiatives in the Sahel. How do state and civil society actors perceive of European intervention partners and their new rulers? What are the implications for Europe’s migration management and how do European policymakers adopt to shifting regional order? Heeding perspectives from the ground, this seminar identifies lessons learned and explore avenues for moving forward.

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SPEAKERS
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Christine Nissen, Senior Analyst, Tænketanken Europa
Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde, Senior Researcher, DIIS
Andrew Lebovich, Postdoc, DIIS, Research fellow, Clingendael Institute
Hans Lucht, Senior Researcher, DIIS
Birgitte Nygaard Marcussen, Director Humanitarian Affairs, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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PROGRAMME
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13.00-13.10 Introduction: EU’s turn from the Sahel to Ukraine, Christine Nissen
13.10-13.20 Mali’s cyberwarriors: supporting military leaders and Mali-Russia cooperation, Signe Marie Cold-Ravnkilde
13.20-13.30 Niger: the last bastion for European interventionism, Andrew Lebovich
13.30-13.50 Q&A part 1
13.50-14:00 Coffee break
14.00-14.10 Migrants as ‘Hybrid weapons’? Niger, Russia, and the trans-Saharan migration routes, Hans Lucht
14.10-14.20 EU’s time for introspection, and what ways forward?, Birgitte Marcussen
14.20-14.40 Panel discussion, moderated by Christine Nissen
14.40-15.00 Q&A part 2
15.00-16.00 Reception

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
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The seminar will be held in English. Participation is free of charge but registration is required via our registration form. Register here: https://www.diis.dk/en/node/27054/
Livestreaming on the event page on diis.dk does not require registration. The livestreaming will appear with a link on the page just before the seminar starts. You will be able to watch the seminar recording afterwards as well.
The research project “War Without Allies” and this event is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.