The African Union and Security Challenges in the Sahel: Prospects for Multilateral Diplomacy

Abstract

 The paper sheds light on the widespread security challenges in the Sahel
region of Africa. Such threats and insecurity have manifested in the form of
terrorism, insurgency, environmental challenges, climate change, etc. These are asymmetric in nature, with the tendency for spilling into other regions of Africa. Responding to these insecurity challenges require multilateral agreements and concerted efforts at regional and continental levels. The paper affirms that such arrangements have implications for multilateral diplomacy as there is the need to manage the efforts of international partners and power blocs in the region. If such diplomacies are conducted appropriately, it could signal an era of positive
security change in the Sahel region. It could also usher in a regime of development and economic prosperity. On the other hand, if efforts by the AU are not properly managed, it could portend a Sahel region dotted with unchecked interests by superpower brokers, a ‘cosmetic’ cessation of security challenges and a region riddled with poor economic development indices and other drivers of insecurity.