Sahel Security Dynamics: Mapping the Shifting Landscape

Since the wave of coups in Mali (2020), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023), the Sahel region has undergone a dramatic geopolitical realignment. The withdrawal of French forces and the pivot toward Russian security partnerships marks a fundamental shift in West Africa's security architecture.

Our analysis quantifies these shifts through 15+ indicators across military cooperation, trade flows, diplomatic alignment, and peacekeeping contributions. The data reveals a complex picture: while Russian presence expanded, its impact on actual security outcomes remains mixed.