THE EMERGENCE OF AES STATES: A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN TACKLING INSECURITY IN THE SAHEL?

Abstract

Review paper

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37458/ssj.6.1.8

The West African subregion, particularly the Sahel, is encumbered by enormous security challenges. Also, the region has recently witnessed the resurgence of military coup d'etat, including the enthronement of Russian-backed military juntas against the longstanding interest of the erstwhile main colonial master in France. While the security challenges in the Sahel have enjoyed burgeoning attention in the literature, the recent emergence of the AES States calls for interrogation. Therefore, the paper re-examined the security challenges in the Sahel and interrogated the Russian-backed AES States' ability to curb the region's mammoth security challenges. An exploratory research design was adopted through a systematic desk review of the literature. The Concentric theory underpins the study, and three criteria were used to assess the AES's ability to achieve its objectives. It was opined that considering the hydra-headed nature of the insecurity in the Sahel, the joint efforts of the three countries with Russia's support are insufficient. Although military expenditure of the AES States increased significantly in recent times, armed conflict resurged. It was recommended that a more comprehensive approach be required to address the root causes of insecurity at the local, national, subregional, and international levels.