By Nina Wilén | Kwesi Aning

Over the past decade, Western and multilateral security interventions in the Sahel have failed to stabilize the region, while national and local efforts, particularly in Mali and Burkina Faso, have remained largely militarized. These approaches have proven ineffective in addressing the underlying causes of instability, such as food insecurity, lack of basic services, and limited economic opportunities. The key lesson learned is that military action alone cannot resolve the Sahel’s security crisis—political engagement from local, national, and regional actors is crucial. Key Lessons Learned 1. Local Ownership is Essential – Sustainable security strategies must be designed primarily by national and regional actors. External support should enhance, rather than dictate, local approaches. 2. Partners Can Become Unreliable – Political shifts, particularly military coups, have led to abrupt changes in alliances, as seen in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where governments expelled French and Western security forces in favor of Russian partnerships. Rapid changes need to be taken into account by external actors when engaging. 3. Risk of Equipment Falling into Wrong Hands – The withdrawal of international forces has often resulted in the unintended transfer of military equipment and infrastructure to juntas or non-state actors. Before providing new equipment to partners in the region, reflection is needed about what type of material, should be provided, when, and to whom

New York: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V. , Counter Extremism Project, 2025. 28p.