The Sahel and the UN: a smaller footprint, a different role
Summary
The United Nations ended its peacekeeping mission in Mali by the end of 2023, but it continues political, humanitarian, and development work in the Sahel region. With Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger leaving the regional group ECOWAS and forming the Alliance of Sahel States, the UN is now focusing on diplomacy and support rather than military presence, while Russia’s influence in the region has grown.Key Facts
- MINUSMA, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, ended in June 2023 after Mali’s transitional government requested its withdrawal.
- The UN still operates politically through the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
- Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger left ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
- The AES emphasizes sovereignty and strategic autonomy, reducing influence from outside institutions like the UN and ECOWAS.
- Humanitarian problems like displacement and food insecurity continue across the Sahel region.
- Russia’s Africa Corps has supported military governments in Mali and Niger, increasing Moscow’s influence both locally and in the UN Security Council.
- The UN Security Council extended UNOWAS’s mandate until January 31, 2029, with a strategic review planned for 2026.
- Experts suggest the UN should focus less on peacekeeping troops and more on diplomacy, security reform, and addressing the root causes of conflict.
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