The second edition of the Sahel-Europe Dialogue Forum pledges to continue moving forward to promote and encourage stability in the African region

"We Europeans are aware of the problem of the Sahel region"

photo_camera foro diálogo sahel-europa

"We will see each other at the third forum, which will be more ambitious and even more successful than the last one," predicted Ignacio Cosidó, Director of the International Security Centre of the Francisco de Vitoria University (UFV), during the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Sahel-Europe Dialogue Forum held last weekend. The event thus ends with a view to the next edition and with the aim of continuing to address the problems of the Sahel and how to solve them in pursuit of regional stability and social welfare.

The Dialogue Forum, organised by the UFV, included several workshops and masterclasses where experts on the Sahel analysed the situation and challenges of the African region from various perspectives. Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, France, Belgium, Mauritania and Morocco were some of the countries of origin of the speakers who participated in the event. In Cosidó's words, this has made it possible to create "a broad and global vision of the Sahel".

foro sahel europa

The director of the UFV Centre for International Security was in charge of closing the forum together with Florentino Portero, president of the UFV Centre of the Commons; Maman Sambo Sidiko, high representative of the African Union for the Sahel; Mahamat Saleh Annadif, special representative of the secretary general and head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel; and Emmanuela del Re, high representative of the European Union for the Sahel.

The last words and the closing of the event were delivered by Portero, who underlined the relevance of harmony in the current global landscape. "We no longer live apart, we live together. We are a unity of destiny," he remarked. Although each country may have its own culture, religion or way of life, we are all united. "What happens in one part of the world inevitably affects everyone else", Portero said. 

Europe does not abandon its responsibility for the Sahel

With regard to the Sahel, the president of the UFV's Centre of the Commons pointed out that in recent years this region has always been accompanied by the term security in the media or in political debates. Although this might suggest that Europeans are only concerned about our own interests and fear that these problems will catch up with us, Portero stresses that this is not the case. "It is a result of our own history. We Europeans have committed the greatest atrocities in history. The two world wars are unprecedented in history," he recalled.

As a result of these tragic events, Europe came to the conclusion that it was necessary to "overcome differences through the welfare state" or what is known as "human development". "We Europeans are aware of the problem in the Sahel region", so "we are trying to work together", said Portero. This is precisely one of the main objectives of the forum.

foro sahel europa

To analyse the Sahel in all its complexity, to monitor the policies developed to date and the collaboration with the Sahel communities through dialogue between people from different countries, with different ideas and different experiences, but with a common point: to investigate what is happening, what effect the policies we are developing are having and how we can act with better criteria.

Despite the measures taken and the commitment, there is still a lot of work ahead. "Without security there is nothing. There is no investment, no economic development, no health, no education," explained Portero. This panorama, on the other hand, is ideal for the expansion of radical groups.

"There is going to be a third forum and a fourth," announced Portero, reiterating Cosidó's words. "We are not going to abandon our responsibility," he concluded.

Florentino Portero, presidente del Centro de los Comunes de la UFV
New international order in the Sahel: the role of Russia and Turkey 

During the second and final day of the conference, among other issues such as disinformation and manipulation in the Sahel, the role of the Maghreb countries and inter-community conflicts, the influence of Turkey and Russia in the region was also discussed. 

foro sahel europa

In recent years, both powers have redoubled their efforts to consolidate their positions in the region, to the detriment of European countries and taking advantage of the rise of anti-French sentiment. Ankara is expanding its tentacles through soft power, diplomacy, and military and trade agreements, while Moscow presents itself as a reliable partner in tackling jihadist terrorism, one of the main challenges facing the region's governments.

Issouf Binaté, researcher at the Alassane Ouattara University (Ivory Coast) and expert on Turkey's strategy in West Africa, and Igor Delanöe, deputy director of the Franco-Russian Observatory, took part in the debate on the role of these new actors in the region. 

foro sahel europa

According to Binaté, Ankara's interest in the region is primarily economic. "For them, Africa is the future of the world," he stressed. For this reason, Turkey and Turkish companies are seeking to establish trade and business ties on the continent.

In order to expand economically and commercially, Turkey seeks to position itself as a reliable partner in humanitarian and religious matters. Firstly, according to Binaté, Ankara promotes development aid in the region, in addition to supplying human resources to the defence and security forces. On the other hand, through religious foundations such as Maarif, it promotes education and builds places of worship.

Russia is not the only country seeking to expand in Africa. Turkey also organises summits with African countries with the same objective. On this point, Binaté stresses that Ankara and Moscow "could understand each other" regarding their actions on the continent. 

foro sahel europa

Although Russia's presence in Africa has increased in recent years, especially in the Sahel region, this interest goes back much further. The first expeditions to the continent took place during the Russian Empire. Peter the Great, for example, sent ships to Madagascar. Subsequently, the Soviet Union increased its presence on the continent, something that continues to this day.

According to Delanöe, Russia is trying to protect what it considers "its vital interests". The Sahel is not a priority area as such, but it is perceived as an area to expand its influence

PHOTO/GUILLERMO LÓPEZ/ATALAYAR

The deputy director of the Franco-Russian Observatory sees Vladimir Putin's return in 2012 as a 'turning point' in this regard. After returning to office as president, he considered that Dmitry Medvedev had been "too nice" to Westerners, as he would have acted differently with regard to the Libyan intervention.

Today, through the Wagner Group, Moscow defends its interests in resource-rich countries with weak, insecure governments and strong social unrest. Moreover, by taking advantage of growing anti-French sentiment, Russia is positioning itself as a reliable ally, not only among political elites, but also among the population, which perceives Moscow as a powerful partner capable of facing today's challenges.

More in Politics