Consider the following statements : Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region. Statement-II : There have been military takeovers/coups detat in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?
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- ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
- BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
- CStatement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
- DStatement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Answer: (A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Correct Answer: (a) Both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
Statement I: The Sahel region has instability and worsening security — ✓ CORRECT.
The Sahel (the semi-arid belt south of the Sahara) has faced armed conflicts, displacement of millions, and severe humanitarian crises.
Statement II: Multiple military coups have occurred in the Sahel recently — ✓ CORRECT.
Since 2020, there have been coups in:
- Burkina Faso (2 coups)
- Mali (2 coups)
- Chad
- neighbouring Guinea
The coups are both a cause and a symptom of the instability, so Statement II directly explains Statement I.
The Sahel countries have struggled with governance, armed rebellions, and extremism since independence in the 1960s.
Since 2020, multiple Sahel countries including Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Guinea have experienced military coups, creating a wave of democratic backsliding in the region.
The 2021-2023 period saw unprecedented military takeovers in West Africa, making Sahel instability a major focus for UPSC as it affects India's engagement with African nations.
UPSC is testing whether students can identify causal relationships between political events - that coups both cause and result from broader security breakdowns.
Sahel Region Geography & Countries
World Affairs (International Relations) Sahel region
Sahel Region: Geography, Countries & Strategic Importance
Sahel is a semi-arid belt stretching across Africa south of the Sahara Desert
Includes 10+ countries from Senegal in west to Eritrea in east
Transition zone between Sahara Desert (north) and Sudan savanna (south)
Name means 'shore' in Arabic - shore of the Sahara Desert
What is the Sahel
The Sahel is a vast semi-arid transitional zone that acts as a bridge between the Sahara Desert and the more fertile savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. This belt receives limited rainfall and faces frequent droughts, making it ecologically fragile and economically vulnerable.
Key Sahel Countries
Country | Capital | Key Feature | Recent Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
Mali | Bamako | Largest Sahel country | 2 military coups since 2020 |
Burkina Faso | Ouagadougou | Former Upper Volta | 2 military coups since 2022 |
Niger | Niamey | Uranium producer | Military coup 2023 |
Chad | N'Djamena | Oil producer | Military takeover 2021 |
Senegal | Dakar | Western gateway | Relatively stable |
Mauritania | Nouakchott | Atlantic coastline | Last to abolish slavery (1981) |
Sahel Belt Location
Source: Britannica — Sahel | Location, Facts, Map, & Desertification | Britannica · www.britannica.com
Strategic Importance
Migration corridor - millions cross the Sahel heading to Europe via Libya
Resource-rich - uranium (Niger), oil (Chad), gold (Mali, Burkina Faso)
Agricultural zone - supports livestock and farming despite droughts
Security buffer - prevents Saharan instability from reaching coastal West Africa
Sahel Security Crisis & Instability
World Affairs (International Relations) instability worsening security situation
Sahel Security Crisis: Causes, Manifestations & Impact
Multiple armed conflicts involving extremist groups like Boko Haram and JNIM
Over 5 million displaced people across the Sahel region
Governance failures and weak state capacity fuel the crisis
Climate change and desertification worsen resource competition
Nature of Crisis
The Sahel faces a multi-dimensional security crisis combining armed insurgencies, organized crime, ethnic conflicts, and governance failures. This has created a humanitarian emergency affecting millions across the region.
Security Threats
# Sahel Security Crisis
## Extremist Groups
- Boko Haram (Nigeria)
- JNIM (Mali)
- ISGS (Burkina Faso)
- Al-Shabaab spillover
## Organized Crime
- Drug trafficking
- Human smuggling
- Arms trade
- Kidnapping
## Ethnic Conflicts
- Farmer-herder clashes
- Land disputes
- Water access conflicts
- Identity politics
## State Weakness
- Corruption
- Poor governance
- Weak military
- Limited servicesHumanitarian Impact
Impact Type | Scale | Worst Affected Countries | Key Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
Displacement | Regional | Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger | 5+ million displaced |
Food Insecurity | Widespread | Chad, Mali, Niger | 30+ million need assistance |
Education Crisis | Severe | Burkina Faso, Mali | 6,000+ schools closed |
Healthcare Collapse | Critical | All Sahel countries | Limited access to services |
International Response
France's Operation Barkhane (ended 2022) - counter-terrorism mission
UN MINUSMA in Mali (ended 2023) - peacekeeping mission
G5 Sahel Joint Force - regional military cooperation
EU training missions for local security forces
Recent Military Coups in Sahel
World Affairs (International Relations) military takeovers coups detat
Sahel Military Coups (2020-2024): Timeline & Analysis
6+ military coups occurred in Sahel region since 2020
Burkina Faso and Mali experienced multiple coups each
Coups both cause and consequence of regional instability
Democratic backsliding threatens regional governance
Coup Wave Context
Since 2020, the Sahel has experienced an unprecedented wave of military takeovers. These coups both result from existing instability and create new sources of conflict, forming a vicious cycle of governance failure.
Recent Sahel Coups Timeline
Date | Country | Leaders Overthrown | Military Leaders | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 2020 | Mali | Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta | Col. Assimi Goïta | Military transition |
Apr 2021 | Chad | Idriss Déby (killed) | Mahamat Idriss Déby | Military council |
May 2021 | Mali | Bah Ndaw (interim) | Col. Assimi Goïta | Second coup |
Sep 2021 | Guinea | Alpha Condé | Col. Mamady Doumbouya | Military rule |
Jan 2022 | Burkina Faso | Roch Kaboré | Lt. Col. Damiba | First coup |
Sep 2022 | Burkina Faso | Paul-Henri Damiba | Capt. Traoré | Second coup |
Jul 2023 | Niger | Mohamed Bazoum | Gen. Tchiani | Military rule |
Coup Cycle Mechanism
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Governance Crisis**
Weak institutions, corruption, inability to provide security`"]
s2["`**Popular Discontent**
Citizens lose faith in civilian government effectiveness`"]
s3["`**Military Intervention**
Armed forces seize power promising better governance`"]
s4["`**International Isolation**
Sanctions, aid suspension, diplomatic pressure`"]
s5["`**Deeper Instability**
Military rule fails to address root causes, creates new problems`"]
s6["`**Further Coups**
Military factions fight among themselves, cycle repeats`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5
s5 --> s6Common Coup Justifications
Security failures - inability to counter extremist groups
Economic mismanagement - poverty, unemployment, corruption
Democratic deficits - disputed elections, constitutional manipulation
Foreign interference - rejection of Western military presence
Mali had 2 coups in 9 months (Aug 2020, May 2021) - not just one
Burkina Faso also had 2 coups (Jan 2022, Sep 2022) - military overthrew military
Chad's case is different - Idriss Déby died in battle, son took power
Guinea borders Sahel but is coastal - shows instability spreading beyond core Sahel
India-Sahel Relations & Engagement
World Affairs (International Relations)
India's Engagement with Sahel Region: Cooperation & Challenges
Development cooperation through lines of credit and capacity building
India maintains diplomatic missions in key Sahel countries
Peacekeeping contributions to UN missions in Mali and other regions
Energy partnerships especially in uranium and solar projects
Strategic Interest
India engages with the Sahel as part of its broader Africa policy, focusing on development partnerships, resource cooperation, and supporting regional stability through multilateral frameworks.
Key India-Sahel Partnerships
Country | Key Cooperation Areas | Notable Projects | Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
Niger | Uranium, agriculture | Mining partnerships, food security | Political instability |
Mali | Peacekeeping, development | UN mission contributions | Security deterioration |
Senegal | IT, pharmaceuticals | Digital initiatives, health | Limited trade volume |
Burkina Faso | Cotton, agriculture | Rural development projects | Multiple coups |
India's Approach
South-South cooperation model - sharing development experiences
Capacity building through training programs and technical assistance
Commercial engagement in mining, textiles, and pharmaceuticals
Multilateral diplomacy supporting African positions in international forums
Current Challenges
Security concerns limit Indian business and diplomatic presence
Political instability disrupts long-term partnership agreements
Competition from China, France, and other powers in the region
Limited connectivity - no direct transport links with most Sahel countries