The Escalating Conflict in the Sahel: A Geopolitical Quagmire

Human Wrongs Watch By Raïs Neza Boneza – TRANSCEND Media Service*

The Sahel, this vast arid region stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, a region that has long been a battleground for various forces, shows no signs of abating.

Instead, it is intensifying, drawing in both regional and global powers in a struggle that is as much about resources as it is about ideology and control.

Raïs Neza Boneza

The events surrounding the recent ambush of Malian forces on 25 Jul 2024, near Tinsawaten, on the Mali-Algeria border, underscore the complexity and the scale of this conflict.

The Tinsawaten Ambush: A Turning Point?

The ambush on Malian forces at Tinsawaten, a strategic locality straddling the Mali-Algeria border, marks a significant escalation in the conflict.

The Malian military, alongside its allies from Niger and Burkina Faso, had recently secured Inafarak, another key location 120 km northwest of Tessalit.

This region, long a hub for illicit trafficking involving drugs, arms, and human smuggling, has been under the influence of various terrorist groups, often with alleged backing from foreign powers.

On July 25, 2024, Malian forces advancing towards Tinsawaten were caught in a meticulously planned ambush, reportedly orchestrated with the help of satellite imagery provided by the United States.

The ambush, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 60 Malian and allied soldiers, was marked by the use of sophisticated drones and a large ground force.

This incident is emblematic of the broader geopolitical games being played in the Sahel, where local conflicts are increasingly becoming proxy wars for global powers.

The Role of Algeria and Regional Dynamics

One of the most contentious aspects of this conflict is the alleged involvement of Algeria. The border regions between Mali and Algeria have long been hotspots for trafficking and terrorism, with accusations that certain factions within the Algerian military and government are complicit in these activities.

The ambush at Tinsawaten has further strained relations between Mali and Algeria, with the Malian government accusing Algeria of harboring and supporting terrorist elements.

This tension is rooted in historical grievances and the current geopolitical landscape. Also it is an indirect result of the Algerian civil war. In the early 2000s, Algerian Islamist rebels, in search of bases, began to establish themselves in the desert.

Over time, they engaged in guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and hostage-taking in the region. More significantly, they gradually built relationships with local populations and spread radical Islamism, leading to the recruitment of locals and the rise of new, locally entrenched movements like Ansar Dine, MUJAO, and the Macina katiba.

On the other hand, The 2011 conflict, where NATO worked alongside Islamist forces to oust Gaddafi, left Libya with ungoverned spaces and an influx of weapons—creating the perfect conditions for terrorist groups to flourish.

Algeria’s construction of barriers along its southern borders since 2015, ostensibly to prevent incursions by traffickers and terrorists, has done little to assuage Mali’s concerns.

On the contrary, the recent events have led to a public denunciation of Algeria’s actions, with Mali accusing its northern neighbor of undermining its sovereignty.

Western Involvement and the Shadow of NATO

The involvement of Western powers, particularly NATO, adds another layer of complexity to the Sahel conflict. The ambush at Tinsawaten is alleged to have been facilitated by Western intelligence and military support, raising questions about the true objectives of these external actors.

The presence of mercenaries from private military companies on both side as well as French and American military equipment, suggests that the conflict is not merely a local or regional issue but part of a broader strategic contest.

This involvement is seen by some as an extension of the West’s failures in other parts of the world, such as Ukraine. With NATO facing setbacks in Eastern Europe, there is a perception that the alliance is seeking to exert its influence in Africa, a continent rich in resources but plagued by instability.

The conflict in the Sahel, therefore, becomes not just a fight for territorial control but also a battleground for global powers seeking to secure their interests in a rapidly changing world.

The Sahel: A Resource-Rich Battlefield

The Sahel, and particularly the Adrar des Iforas region, is of immense geostrategic importance. This mountainous area, which spans northern Mali and southern Algeria, is not only a natural fortress but also a treasure trove of resources.

The control of this region is seen as crucial for dominating the broader Sahara, a vast area rich in minerals, oil, and other valuable commodities.

Historically, the Sahara has been coveted by various powers for its untapped potential. French colonial interests in the region were driven by the desire to exploit these resources, and this legacy continues to shape the current conflict.

The battle for Tinsawaten and the surrounding areas is thus part of a larger struggle for control over the Sahel’s natural wealth, with local, regional, and global actors all vying for dominance.

The Future of the Sahel Conflict

The ongoing conflict in the Sahel shows no signs of resolution. The recent events at Tinsawaten highlight the increasing militarization of the region and the involvement of multiple external powers with competing interests.

For the Sahelian states like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, the challenge lies in navigating these complex dynamics while maintaining their sovereignty and protecting their populations.

The future of the Sahel will likely be shaped by the outcomes of these conflicts. Whether it will lead to further fragmentation and instability or a reassertion of local control depends on the actions of both regional actors and the international community.

What is clear is that the Sahel remains a critical flashpoint in global geopolitics, with the stakes higher than ever for all involved parties.

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*Raïs Neza Boneza is the author of fiction as well as non-fiction, poetry books and articles. He was born in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Former Zaïre).

He is also an activist and peace practitioner. Raïs is convener of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment for Central and African Great Lakes and uses his work to promote artistic expressions as a means to deal with conflicts and maintaining mental wellbeing, spiritual growth and healing.

He has travelled extensively in Africa and around the world as a lecturer, educator and consultant for various NGOs and institutions. His work is premised on art, healing, solidarity, peace, conflict transformation and human dignity issues.

Raïs work also as freelance journalist based in Trondheim, Norway. You can reach him at rais.boneza@gmail.com. http://www.raisnezaboneza.no

*This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 19 Aug 2024. TMS: The Escalating Conflict in the Sahel: A Geopolitical Quagmire 2024 Human Wrongs Watch

Source: https://human-wrongs-watch.net/2024/08/23/the-escalating-conflict-in-the-sahel-a-geopolitical-quagmire/