Geopolitical competition in the Sahel

Geopolitical competition in the Sahel has intensified as international actors respond to regional instability and the rise of jihadist groups. Russian officials have accused French and Ukrainian intelligence services of attempting to destabilize the region by supporting terrorist activities and installing controlled regimes. Specifically, Russian authorities claim that Ukrainian military intelligence personnel have been present in Burkina Faso, Sudan, and Mali, alleging that Ukrainian instructors have worked with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group JNIM.

In response to the growing influence of Russia’s Africa Corps and the expansion of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, the United States is seeking to re-establish security ties with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to develop a diplomatic strategy for combating terrorism in Mali and to evaluate the financial resources of jihadist organizations. This American approach aims to provide tailored security assistance and intelligence sharing to counter regional volatility and economic disruptions caused by instability in the mining and trade sectors.