Instability and State Fragility in the Sahel

Abstract

The paper deals with statehood, state functionality and state fragility in the Sahel. It first provides a focused historical overview of the exercise of power in the pre-colonial and colonial periods, and then takes stock of the legacies of the independent (nation) states that emerged with decolonisation, all through a political science analytical lens and an interdisciplinary approach. The paper reviews the state functionality of the five countries of the Sahel Alliance (G5) individually, but places the fragilities of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger in a broader context, namely the so-called ‘arc of instability’ concept (IUCTS). The main analytical focus is on a broad approach to security, i.e. one that puts human security in the core. Throughout, a cobweb of interdependencies between the interests of the various actors is the leitmotif, with the main points of reference being the tensions between former colonial powers (the French, for example, are the main ones) and actors from among the emerging economies (the Chinese and the Russians, for example). The paper examines in detail the specificities of the ‘coup belt’ states, pointing out some critical governance areas and gaps.