Challenges facing full function of Sahel force

The collapse of the security system in Mali in 2012 alarmed the international community. Nonetheless, the African state is returning to stability, thanks to French military support and development assistance by the United Nations.

In 2014, Bukina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger formed the JF-G5SL group which aimed to boost security and development cooperation between them.

The five states also launched a joint military force with backing from France. Made up of 5,000 troops, the force aims to counter terrorism, fight illegal immigration and fight organized crime in border areas between them.

The group received support from almost all African leaders. It was formed to achieve the following goals:

·     The JF-G5SL initiative reflects a strong desire on the part of the countries forming it for finding new solutions to African problems. France is the most active European state in the Sahel region as far as military involvement is concerned. Nevertheless, there is a need for more military partners in the region.

·     The military contribution of the initiative was viewed highly by the United Nations mission for stability in Mali. A rise in the level of violence in Mali gave neighboring countries a strong motivation to be militarily involved.

The five nations forming the initiative are particularly enthusiastic about military action in the light of Europe's desire to curb the flow of illegal migrants from Africa.

However, the joint Sahel military force is still far from being fully operational. There are doubts as well on the effectiveness of the force, given conditions on the ground.

Challenges

The group forming the force prioritized bringing the central state in Mali back to its former conditions. They also worked to offer help to displaced Malians, offer humanitarian support and initiate developments projects.

The same states talked repeatedly about the importance of development for ending terrorism in the region. Nonetheless, European states push in the direction of strict counterterrorism cooperation with the aim of eradicating terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram.

Weak economic activities

The force tightens control on the borders of the countries neighboring Mali. There is a need, however, for more cooperation and confidence among the member states of the group forming the force. They also need to give residents living in the border areas hope, by economically developing them. This should include the introduction of economic activities, other than the illicit trade. Most of the residents of the border areas depend on this trade for income. The force risks turning the residents against it by suspending this illicit trade without finding alternatives.

This means that military action is far from enough to stop terrorism. Economic development is also a prerequisite for the achievement of that goal.

Lack of funds

Funding is a major problem in this region. The five states of the Sahel are badly in need of funding to finance the operations of their military force. Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are the poorest states in the world. The defense needs of these states are far larger than their budgets can afford.

Niger, for example, needed to increase its military spending four-fold in order to execute its counterterrorism plan against Boko Haram.

In June 2017, the United States and the UK turned down a French proposal at the United Nations Security Council to give a free mandate for the force to use military force and receive funding to support this force.

This means that the force mainly depends on individual financial contributions, even as donor stations pledged 423 million Euros in support.