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Western Sahel and Development - Coggle Diagram
Western Sahel and Development
Economic
Positive impacts
Regional investment in military and security sectors has created limited job opportunities for youth in formal security and logistics.
Nationalisation efforts aim to redirect profits from gold and uranium toward local development and infrastructure.
Negative Impacts
High dependency on foreign aid due to instability undermines long-term economic sustainability.
Lack of diversification: Heavy reliance on agriculture (climate-vulnerable) and foreign assistance limits innovation and industry growth
Deterrence of Foreign Investment: Aggressive tactics toward foreign companies may deter future investment, hindering economic diversification and growth.
Operational Disruptions: Seizures and legal disputes disrupt mining operations, leading to job losses and decreased economic activity.
Recent Snapshot:
In 2024, governments in Mali and Niger began nationalising mining resources, revoking contracts with foreign firms like Orano and Barrick Gold. While intended to boost sovereign control, this has led to legal disputes and uncertainty for investors (Financial Times, 2024).
SDG
SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth):
Efforts to secure local control of resources show promise, but without transparent legal frameworks, long-term economic sustainability is jeopardised.
Political
Rcent Snapshot:
Following military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in 2023 reflects a turn toward regional self-governance—but also rejection of ECOWAS and international norms
Accountability
Positive Impact:
New regional alliances attempt to create alternative security frameworks and assert national sovereignty.
Negative Impact
Coup-led governments lack democratic accountability mechanisms; citizens have limited power to influence leadership decisions or policy
SDG
SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions):
Accountability is a foundational component of peaceful and inclusive societies. Military governments erode citizen trust and reduce political legitimacy.
Social Development
Recent Snapshot:
In regions like Tillabéri (Niger), reports in late 2024 describe women being abducted and used as sex slaves by militant groups, despite promises by the military junta to improve safety (The Guardian, 2024).
Focus Factor: Human Rights (Gender-Based Violence)
Positive Impact:
NGOs and international organisations continue to provide trauma services and emergency aid in affected regions.
Negative Impact
Conflict has normalised impunity for gender-based violence; weak enforcement mechanisms make justice inaccessible for victims.
SDG
SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
Sustainable social development is impossible without upholding human rights, particularly for women, who face disproportionate violence and exclusion in conflict zones.
Environmental
Recent Snapshot:
Despite over $14 billion pledged for the Great Green Wall initiative, only 18 million of 100 million targeted hectares have been restored due to poor coordination and insecurity (Mongabay, 2023).
Focus Factor: Resource Access
Positive Impact
Localised reforestation efforts in Senegal and Burkina Faso have demonstrated community-led land restoration success.
Negative Impact
Insecurity limits access to arable land and water, while armed groups often control fertile zones, restricting development.
SDG
SDG 15 (Life on Land):
Sustainable environmental development depends on fair and secure access to natural resources. Conflict obstructs these pathways, worsening land degradation.
Institutional
Recent Snapshot:
In 2025, Niger withdrew from the Lake Chad MNJTF coalition, citing a desire to focus on national security priorities. This move came amid critiques of inefficiency and external interference (
Focus Factor: Institutional Legitimacy
Positive Impact
Withdrawal aims to prioritise national strategy and reduce dependency on underperforming transnational efforts.
Negative Impact
Public trust in national institutions remains low; courts and security forces are perceived as politically manipulated and ineffective.
SDG
SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions):
Institutions must be seen as legitimate and capable to deliver justice and security. In the Sahel, institutional fragility and low trust undermine development.