Sahel security: official accolades versus the reality on the ground

Following a recent gathering of defense ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Bassolma Bazié, president of the CN-CES, lauded the unwavering commitment and profound sacrifices made by the Defense and Security Forces across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This robust commendation was accompanied by a declaration emphasizing the imperative of safeguarding territorial integrity, protecting civilian populations, and achieving a sovereignty heralded as historic.

Yet, this official narrative increasingly prompts a critical question among the public: do these expressions of satisfaction truly align with the daily realities experienced by the populace?

Since the establishment of the AES, authorities in the three nations have consistently highlighted a reasserted sovereignty and strategic autonomy. However, on the ground, numerous communities continue to grapple with armed assaults, mass displacements, and an enduring insecurity that remains a formidable obstacle. In this environment, repeated tributes to security forces, while undoubtedly merited given the immense sacrifices of soldiers, fall short of addressing citizen expectations, who primarily judge outcomes.

The divergence becomes particularly stark when considering the human toll of this crisis. As armed forces pay the ultimate price on the front lines, the everyday lives of civilians are consumed by a painful struggle for survival. Thousands of families are forced to abandon everything, migrating en masse to neighboring countries in a desperate search for the peace and security their own states can no longer guarantee. Witnessing citizens transformed into refugees beyond their own borders serves as the most palpable indicator that the sovereignty celebrated in ministerial halls remains a distant concept for those enduring its absence.

Confronted by this exodus and tragic losses, the stance of leaders, who primarily offer official eulogies and posthumous speeches, raises a stark query: does such conduct genuinely enhance public safety or halt the mounting fatalities? Evidence suggests otherwise. Funeral praises and medals do not fortify front lines, protect isolated villages, nor restore lost lives. By merely commemorating soldiers’ sacrifices instead of rectifying the strategic shortcomings that lead to their demise, political action appears to dissolve into symbolism, leaving the underlying causes of insecurity unaddressed.

The fundamental mission of any defense policy remains the concrete enhancement of population security. When civilians continue to live under the shadow of attacks, when certain regions remain largely inaccessible, and when humanitarian crises persist, discourses celebrating the triumphs of security strategies can appear profoundly disconnected from the realities on the ground.

The notion of “real sovereignty” also warrants deeper scrutiny. For many observers, sovereignty is not solely measured by the assertion of political or diplomatic independence. It is also assessed by the state’s capacity to guarantee security, ensure the free movement of individuals, safeguard essential public services, and offer prospects of stability to its citizens. Across these critical indicators, significant challenges persist throughout the Sahelian region.

Military personnel engaged on the front lines frequently pay a heavy price, and their dedication is widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, honoring soldiers does not absolve political leaders of their duty to rigorously evaluate implemented strategies. The sacrifices made by the armed forces should be accompanied by transparent deliberation on the efficacy of military and political choices, to ascertain whether declared objectives are genuinely being met.

Ultimately, the most profound way to honor defense forces extends beyond official pronouncements. It primarily involves establishing conditions for a lasting improvement in security and the daily lives of populations. As long as inhabitants continue to suffer the consequences of insecurity, declarations proclaiming a fully achieved sovereignty are likely to be met with skepticism by a segment of the public.