SECURING THE SAHEL: A ROLE FOR NATO?
SECURING THE SAHEL: A ROLE FOR NATO?

Summary/Abstract: Against the background of the well established partnership programme that NATO has with several North African countries bordering the Sahel region of Africa, the author writes about some developments in the region that have been far less positive and which might soon demand greater attention from NATO member states. Moreover, he mentions that it is in the role of “deep” conflict resolution that NATO could make an immensely valuable contribution, utilising mediation to prevent al-Qaeda from establishing a lasting foothold in the region while averting a protracted military conflict, at the same time expending minimal Alliance resources. In the end, he considers that, at the same time, one of the most pressing moral challenges the Alliance will be confronted with in the coming year is whether NATO can render tangible assistance to one of the most impoverished and imperilled regions of the world. The awful events near In Aménas indicate what is now at stake.

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