August 12, 2025
The Sahel region in West Africa remains a critical hotspot where jihadist insurgencies have expanded rapidly, posing severe security threats. European cooperation, led primarily by the European Union (EU), is increasingly central to counterterrorism efforts amid political upheavals like coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This cooperation addresses intertwined security, development, and governance challenges, aiming to curb jihadist influence while reinforcing state institutions. The issue is politically significant now due to the evolving regional alliances, emerging local defense coalitions, and the recalibration of European foreign policy following shifts in traditional partnerships.
Security Threats and Jihadist Expansion
The Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, leads deadly jihadist attacks, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Islamist-terrorist attacks in West Africa have surged, with fatalities in certain coastal states like Benin doubling to 173 in 2024. Seven coups have occurred in West African states over the past four years, disrupting traditional security frameworks and alliances.
European Union Strategy and Missions
The EU’s Integrated Strategy in the Sahel (adopted April 2021) emphasizes mutual accountability with the five G5 Sahel countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. Four EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions support the strategy, including EUTM Mali (military training) and civilian missions EUCAP Sahel Mali and Niger. The EU’s military partnership mission in Niger (EUMPM-Niger), financed by the European Peace Facility (EPF), was established in December 2022. In 2024, the EU committed an additional €194 million in aid to enhance internal security forces across the Sahel region.
Regional Security Initiatives
The Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) formed in September 2023 by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger aims to coordinate anti-terrorism and cross-border cooperation independent of ECOWAS. The G5 Sahel Joint Force, created in 2017 with French and international support, remains operational but faces challenges in cooperation, sovereignty, and effectiveness. The Accra Initiative (2017) includes Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, focusing on intelligence sharing and joint military operations to curb jihadist expansion toward the Gulf of Guinea.
Background and Political Development in the Sahel
The Sahel’s instability stems from long-standing weak state institutions, economic underdevelopment, and environmental stresses. The EU pioneered an integrated approach in 2011 with its Sahel Security and Development Strategy, aiming for security-development convergence. The strategy evolved with the 2015 Sahel Action Plan but faced limits due to rising jihadist violence and governance challenges. After coup-induced political shifts post-2020, the EU adjusted its policy, emphasizing political partnerships over military-only interventions, trust building with populations, and regional collaboration beyond military means.
European support historically centered on training and advising militaries alongside development aid. However, anti-French and anti-Western sentiments have led to reduced bilateral cooperation, necessitating a recalibration of European influence and broader multilateral engagement. The region’s shifting alliances reflect growing assertions of sovereignty by Sahelian states, complicating traditional partnership models.
Main Actors and Stakeholders Involved
- European Union: Driving integrated strategy, funding security missions, and coordinating political dialogue via the EU Special Representative for the Sahel.
- G5 Sahel Countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger — partners with the EU focusing on state capacity, security sector reform, and counterterrorism efforts.
- Alliance of Sahelian States (AES): Newly formed coalition (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) seeking self-reliant security cooperation, distancing from traditional partners.
- France: Historically pivotal in counterterrorism through Operation Barkhane (ended in 2024), its influence now diminished amid regional pushback.
- Russia: Increasing presence via security cooperation with some Sahelian states, though effectiveness against jihadist expansion remains unclear.
- United Nations: UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) provides security support amidst EU and French exit.
- Civil society and local populations: Critical for trust-building and combating radicalization through inclusive policies and development.
Recent Political and Security Developments
Political coups disrupted democratic governments in the Sahel from 2020 onwards, spurring realignments. The formation of AES in 2023 marked a decisive break from ECOWAS, signaling a shift toward regional sovereignty over security. The EU’s strategy since 2021 advocates sustainable development alongside military efforts, highlighting enhanced funding for internal security and institutional reforms. However, jihadist attacks have increased, raising concerns about operational effectiveness. The EU has extended and reinforced its missions, including civilian capacity-building, despite some member states reducing their diplomatic footprints.
Growing security cooperation among coastal West African states through the Accra Initiative reflects concerns over jihadist spillover beyond the Sahel. European military aid and intelligence sharing continue but must navigate the complex regional political landscape and reduced acceptance of Western presence.
Challenges and Political Risks
- Political Instability: Coups and regime changes complicate consistent policy implementation and allied cooperation.
- Sovereignty Sensitivities: Regional pushback against foreign military presence impacts operational freedom for European missions.
- Security Fragmentation: Multiple overlapping forces (G5 Sahel, AES, Accra Initiative) hamper unified counterterrorism response.
- Rising Jihadist Violence: The continual spread and sophistication of jihadist groups undermines security gains.
- Economic and Development Gaps: Persistent poverty and governance deficits fuel radicalization and hinder stabilization.
- Migration and Humanitarian Crises: Instability drives displacement and exacerbates fragile social conditions, complicating policymaking.
Political and Policy Implications
European cooperation in the Sahel shapes not only regional security but also influences EU internal politics and transatlantic relations. Successful counterterrorism efforts are crucial for European domestic security and migration management. The shifting alliances challenge traditional EU-African partnerships, necessitating diplomatic flexibility and renewed engagement strategies. The political dynamics in the Sahel could affect voter sentiment in Europe regarding foreign intervention, aid, and migration policies. Furthermore, the EU’s position in the Sahel may impact broader international alliances, especially amid growing Russian presence in the region.
