The Future of US Relations with the Alliance of Sahel States

About the Event

The Libyan civil war seriously impacted the countries of the Sahel. The overthrow of former Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi led to the mass migration of fighters and weapons into the region, leaving the Sahel states to contend with heavily armed non-state actors committed to extremist agendas. Unfortunately, despite significant security assistance from NATO member states, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger struggled to rein in these extremist groups, leading to frustration on all sides. Eventually, a series of military coups across the region led to these three states withdrawing from security partnerships with NATO states. In recent months, reports have surfaced that members of the Alliance of Sahel States are exploring ways to improve relations with the United States.

FPRI Africa Program Chair Charles A. Ray will be joined by Ambassador Aïssatou Clémence Baré of the Republic of Niger, Ambassador Sékou Berthé of the Republic of Mali, Ambassador Kassoum Coulibaly of Burkina Faso, and Michael Walsh of Future Continuum to discuss the short and long-term prospects for improved US relations with the Sahel states.

 

Speakers