The Sahel

The Sahel is an African region stretching from Mauritania on the Atlantic coast to the Red Sea. Due to its arid climate, the region often suffers from droughts and is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change. The Sahel is further plagued by political instability due to inter-communal conflicts and the presence of terrorist groups, but recent years have seen mass protests and regional interventions bring some positive developments to the region.

Content

In the News

Feb 24, 2020

Bello quoted in Le Point Afrique on the G5 Sahel Summit in Nouakchott

By Atlantic Council

Africa Conflict

Event Recap

Feb 6, 2020

UN Under-Secretary-General speaks to the complexity of countering desertification

By Africa Center

On Thursday, February 6, the Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

In the News

Jan 12, 2020

Yade joins Jury du Dimanche to discuss politics in France, Senegal, and the Sahel

By Atlantic Council

Africa Elections

In the News

Dec 30, 2019

McFate quoted in the New York Times on plans to cut back US intelligence efforts in Africa

By Atlantic Council

Africa Defense Policy

AfricaSource

Dec 9, 2019

N’oublions pas le pastoralisme dans l’agenda climatique

By Abdoul Salam Bello and Rama Yade

Les activités commerciales liées au pastoralisme en Afrique représentent environ un volume de l’ordre du milliard de dollars par an et entre 10 et 44% du produit intérieur brut (PIB) des pays africains. Au total, près d’ 1,3 milliard de personnes bénéficient de la chaîne de valeur du bétail.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Event Recap

Sep 20, 2019

Senegal’s economy minister outlines strategy for private sector-led growth

By Africa Center

On Friday, September 20, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted H.E. Amadou Hott, minister of economy, planning, and cooperation of the Republic of Senegal.

Africa Economy & Business

AfricaSource

Jul 22, 2019

Reviewing Mauritania’s historic election

By Luke Tyburski

Mauritania’s June 22 presidential election marked the country’s first democratic transfer of power since independence. The ruling party’s Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won with 52 percent of the vote, and his closest challenger, Biram Dah Abeid, received 18 percent. But the election was less of a landslide than the vote totals imply.

Africa Elections

AfricaSource

Jun 18, 2019

Mauritania election primer

By Luke Tyburski

Mauritania’s presidential election on June 22 stands to mark the country’s first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960. This comes as Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who assumed control in a 2008 coup d’état, has agreed to step down, abiding by term limits. Aziz’s ruling Union for the Republic (UPR) party maintains […]

Africa Elections

Event Recap

Mar 27, 2019

Mali’s prime minister and foreign minister discuss security sector

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, March 27, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted H.E. Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, prime minister, and H.E. Kamissa Camara, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, of the Republic of Mali, for a discussion on the security situation in Mali and the Sahel region. Maïga presented his country’s efforts to improve security at both […]

Africa Democratic Transitions

AfricaSource

Feb 5, 2019

Bolton’s risky bet in the Sahel

By Matthieu Fernandez

In December, when US National Security Advisor John Bolton previewed the Trump Administration’s security strategy for Africa, he focused more on the rising financial and political influence of China and Russia than on US plans to fight the “proliferation of Radical Islamic Terrorism” across Africa.

Africa National Security
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Experts

Fellow

Abdoul Salam Bello

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Economy & Business Inclusive Growth

Fellow

Rose Keravuori

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Defense Policy

Fellow

Bachir Ismael Ouedraogo

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Rama Yade

Senior Director, Africa Center

Africa Center Europe Center

Civil Society Human Rights