Download full text
(1.322Mb)
Citation Suggestion
Please use the following Persistent Identifier (PID) to cite this document:
https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-90876-3
Exports for your reference manager
Siding with Societies: How Europe Can Reposition Itself in the Sahel
[working paper]
Corporate Editor
German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) - Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien, Institut für Afrika-Studien
Abstract The swift rise of military juntas in the Sahel, their alignment with Russia, and their adept use of anti-colonial and anti-French rhetoric have left many in Europe grappling for answers. Was Europe’s engagement in the Sahel in vain? How should Europe position itself vis-à-vis the new military regime... view more
The swift rise of military juntas in the Sahel, their alignment with Russia, and their adept use of anti-colonial and anti-French rhetoric have left many in Europe grappling for answers. Was Europe’s engagement in the Sahel in vain? How should Europe position itself vis-à-vis the new military regimes?
The withdrawal of European engagement in the Sahel has fuelled narratives of sovereignty and anti-colonial emancipation. However, the populist rhetoric of the military juntas masks a more complex reality: they govern fragile states, with the social order in flux. Their power is tenuous, hinging on fleeting public support and the acquiescence of elites.
The military juntas continue to enjoy significant public support. Their support is driven by a combination of populism, militarism, conflict aversion, and sheer desperation. However, beyond the hard-to-fulfil promise of regaining control over the security situation, the military juntas have little to offer to society. If public dissatisfaction grows, they have to choose between ramping up repression or eventually relinquishing power.
While African societies have not lost their preference for democracy, public opinion has become more divided. Unconditional support for democracy is nowhere near the supermajority it was a few years ago, but it is still dominant in all Sahel countries except for Mali.... view less
Keywords
West Africa; Sahel Region; Europe; foreign policy; political stability; international system; conflict; military government; civil-military cooperation; security policy; domestic security; political elite; democracy; conflict management
Classification
International Relations, International Politics, Foreign Affairs, Development Policy
Peace and Conflict Research, International Conflicts, Security Policy
Free Keywords
Außenpolitik von Staatengruppen; Außenpolitik einzelner Staaten; Stabilität im internationalen System; internationales Konfliktmanagement; Gesellschaftliche Prozesse; regionale internationale Sicherheit; fragile Staaten/Gescheiterte Staaten; internationale Konfliktpolitik; Afrikapolitik; Verhältnis Militär-Gesellschaft: Militärcoups; Verhältnis Staat-Gesellschaft
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
City
Hamburg
Page/Pages
11 p.
Series
GIGA Focus Afrika, 5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57671/gfaf-23052
Status
Published Version; reviewed