EMERGING POWER DYNAMICS IN THE SAHEL

Western powers, particularly United States of America, France and Republic of Germany have before now been holding swear in the Sahel. This was in terms of providing military and intelligence support in the fight against terrorists; supporting governments and people of the Sahel as well as mining of earth gems such as lithium, copper, and gold amongst others. Consequently, these countries established expensive and well funded military bases in the Sahelian countries. The United States built and paid for an Airbase in Republic of Niger known as Air Base 201 which is about 5 km southeast of Agadez in Niger. Although It is owned by the Nigerien military, it was operated by the U.S. military as a drone base. The French had a military base at Oallam in Niger; Kidal, Ménaka and Gao in northern Mali and elsewhere. Germany also operated an Airbase in Niamey, Niger. However, these Western countries have all withdrawn their troops from the Sahel incumbent on irreconcilable differences with the new juntas that emerged in Burkina Faso; Mali; and Niger.

The differences were associated with issues around perceived exploitation; resource theft; and neo imperialism. There are however widespread belief amongst political observers that the emergence of these new administrations in the Sahel where influenced by the Russian Federation, a perception which perhaps can best be described as subjective. However, the super power has not hidden its expansionary mission in the region, reinforcing earlier assertion by pundits that the country may have backed the soldiers, albeit, indirectly.

Sequel to the exit of the Western forces, Russia is now holding swear and even expanding beyond the Sahel. Besides occupying the military bases of the former Western forces, the Russians are also pushing for political cum economic cooperation with these Sahelian states through Russian owned companies. For instance, Rosatom, a state owned atomic agency has initiated moves to cooperate with Niger on Uranium acquisition. Apart from this, Turkish government is also expanding economic interest within the Sahel, deploying security forces to protect mining sites with Turkish interest. The China National Petroleum Company also has major interest, particularly on Niger crude oil.

Apparently to further show their disdain for the West, the Republics of Niger; Mali and Burkina Faso have gone ahead to exit ECOWAS, the regional economic bloc, and formed a pseudo confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States. It is believed that the alliance will be used to establish new diplomatic relations and push for the realization of the acclaimed aspirations of the juntas governing the countries, which certainly are not in sink with that of the West, particularly France, there now estranged traditional ally. 

The developments in the Sahel have multiple security, social, political, and economic implications for Nigeria, particularly as some of these countries share borders with Nigeria. It therefore behoove of Nigerian leaders in particular and West African leaders in general to make informed analysis and consequent decision on the emerging power dynamics in the Sahel when it is still early enough. This will guide in charting new foreign policy cause for Nigeria and other West African countries.