The Scramble for the Sahel: Inside Africa's New Geopolitical War

How Shifting Alliances Are Transforming Security and Influence Across the Sahel.

The Sahel—stretching across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and neighbouring states—has become a focal point of global competition in the 2020s. Following political upheavals and the withdrawal of foreign forces, new security and diplomatic partnerships are reshaping the region.

This documentary examines the changing roles of France, Russia, Türkiye, regional governments, and African institutions, exploring what these developments mean for security, sovereignty, and regional stability.

Watch The African Mail's documentary on the Sahel, exploring the geopolitical changes affecting Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and neighbouring states. Discover how evolving partnerships, regional organizations, and international competition are reshaping security, diplomacy, and sovereignty across one of Africa's most strategic regions.

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This documentary explores the geopolitical transformation of the Sahel through the experiences of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and neighbouring countries. It examines military transitions, regional organizations, emerging international partnerships, and the security challenges driving political change.

References

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) (2021) ‘Operation Barkhane’. Available at: https://ecfr.eu/special/sahel_mapping/operation_barkhane (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) (2022) ‘Security in the Sahel and the End of Operation Barkhane’. Available at: https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/online-analysis/2022/09/security-in-the-sahel-and-the-end-of-operation-barkhane/ (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Le Monde (2023) ‘“Africa Corps”: Russia’s West African Presence Rebranded’. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2023/12/17/africa-corps-russia-s-sahel-presence-rebranded_6352317_124.html (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Le Monde (2026) ‘Turkey’s Quiet but Strategic Presence in Mali’. Available at: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2026/06/03/turkey-is-a-quiet-but-strategic-presence-in-mali_6754074_124.html (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Reuters (2025) ‘Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Announce Exit from International Criminal Court’. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-burkina-faso-niger-announce-exit-international-criminal-court-2025-09-23/ (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) (2024) ‘Shifting Alliances: The Sahel’s Geostrategic Evolution in a Multipolar Era’. Available at: https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/shifting-alliances-sahels-geostrategic-evolution-multipolar-era (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

The Guardian (2024) ‘France Begins Military Withdrawal from Chad as Influence in Africa Wanes’. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/10/france-begins-military-withdrawal-from-chad-as-influence-in-africa-wanes (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (2023) Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement. New York: UNDP. Available at: https://www.undp.org/africa/publications/journey-extremism-africa (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Wikipedia (2026) ‘Alliance of Sahel States’. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_Sahel_States (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Wikipedia (2026) ‘Françafrique’. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7afrique (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Wikipedia (2026) ‘Operation Barkhane’. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barkhane (Accessed: 6 June 2026).

Wikipedia (2026) ‘Wagner Group Activities in Africa’. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagner_Group_activities_in_Africa (Accessed: 6 June 2026).