The Paradox of Trumpism in the Sahel

The election of a new U.S. President has sparked a surprising reaction in the Sahel region of Africa, where the sentiment “We’re all Trumpists here” has emerged. This phenomenon, explored in a recent article by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), highlights the complex dynamics at play in the region.

Understanding the Context

The Sahel region, stretching across the southern edge of the Sahara, is one of the poorest and most vulnerable areas in the world. It faces significant security challenges, economic instability, and environmental degradation. The region is rich in natural resources but struggles with governance issues, corruption, and the devastating effects of climate change. These factors have created a fertile ground for violent extremism, which has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis and spread instability across Africa.

The Trumpist Sentiment

The SWP article by Lisa Tschörner discusses how the election of the new U.S. President has been met with skepticism in the Sahel. The region has seen a rise in anti-Western sentiment, fueled by a perception that Western interventions have been ineffective or even counterproductive. This has led to a surprising affinity for Trumpism, which is seen as a symbol of resistance against the established political order. The sentiment “We’re all Trumpists here” reflects a desire for change and a frustration with the status quo.

Security and Stability Challenges

The Sahel has been plagued by violent extremism for over a decade. The Islamist insurgency, which began in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, has intensified, particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The region has become a hotspot for terror-related killings, with extremist groups like Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and the Islamic State (IS) expanding their influence. The collapse of international counterterrorism support and weakening regional leadership has created a vacuum that these groups have exploited.

Humanitarian Crisis

The humanitarian situation in the Sahel is dire. The region is undergoing a deep transformation, characterized by escalating forced displacement and increased protection needs. Political instability, conflict, violence, and food insecurity are the key drivers of displacement. The effects of climate change have further intensified tensions over scarce resources, leading to competition between farmers and livestock herders. The UNHCR has developed a new strategy to address these challenges, focusing on emergency needs while building resilience among displaced populations and their host communities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has developed a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing immediate emergency needs while building long-term resilience among displaced populations and their host communities.

Immediate Emergency Response

UNHCR’s strategy in the Sahel focuses on providing lifesaving protection and assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. The agency launched a US$186 million appeal to support these efforts, with funds allocated for initial requirements, COVID-19 prevention and response measures, and scaling up emergency responses. This financial commitment underscores UNHCR’s dedication to addressing the urgent needs of the 3.1 million people affected by displacement and statelessness in the region.

Building Resilience

Beyond immediate relief, UNHCR’s strategy emphasizes building resilience among displaced populations and their host communities. This involves strengthening community-based preparedness to prevent climate-related forced displacement, supporting the use of clean energy, and improving plastic and waste management. The approach is designed to be eco-friendly and follows a “do no harm” principle, recognizing the significant impact of climate change on the region.

Regional Coordination and Support

The Sahel Strategy is not limited to individual countries but encompasses a regional dimension, involving coordination with the UNHCR Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa and headquarters support. This regional approach aims to ensure coherence and relevance across the affected countries, although challenges remain in fully translating the strategy into country-level operations. The strategy also aligns with the Bamako Declaration, where governments in the region pledged to provide protection and solutions for displaced populations.

Challenges and Adaptations

The implementation of UNHCR’s strategy has faced several challenges, including the need for better alignment between regional priorities and country-level activities. The strategy has not always been fully translated into budget allocations and activities at the country level, reflecting the inadequate inclusion of country offices in its development. Additionally, the strategy must address the tension between status-based and area-based responses, ensuring that assistance is relevant and appropriate to the specific needs of the affected populations.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, UNHCR’s strategy in the Sahel will continue to evolve, with a focus on integrating climate adaptation with security and development efforts. The agency’s predictive analytics initiative, which combines machine learning, predictive modeling, and strategic foresight, aims to identify risk hotspots and inform future responses. This proactive approach is crucial in a region where farming and pastoralism are highly vulnerable to climate change, and food insecurity is surging.

The Role of Climate Change

Climate change is the significant factor in the Sahel’s instability. The region is witnessing alarming environmental degradation, which has led to sustained emergencies. The consequences of inaction in the Sahel will ripple across continents, underscoring the need for immediate and practical solutions. Combined with demographic pressure, the competition over dwindling resources provides more inroads for extremist groups.

Regional Cooperation and International Engagement

The creation of the Alliance of Sahel States by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger is a significant development. These countries, ruled by military governments, have pledged to support each other against outside threats and internal security challenges. However, the success of this alliance remains uncertain, and a divided Sahel could make regional challenges even more difficult to tackle. The international community’s renewed engagement is crucial, with a focus on integrating climate adaptation with security and development.

Trumpists hoping on someone who hardly knows where the Sahel is located

The sentiment “We’re all Trumpists here” in the Sahel reflects a complex interplay of frustration, desire for change, and resistance against the established order. The region’s challenges, including violent extremism, humanitarian crises, and the devastating effects of climate change, require a coordinated and pragmatic international response. The creation of the Alliance of Sahel States is a step towards regional cooperation, but the path to stability and security remains fraught with difficulties. The international community must engage decisively to address the root causes of instability and support the Sahel’s journey towards a more secure and prosperous future. If or how U.S.A.’s newly elected President, Donald J. Trump is able fulfilling these demands is unclear. Maybe it’s like with many Trumpists in the U.S.. They are also mislead: DT is making big hope and surfing on a wave of corruption, cleptocracy and lies. Today it is unclear if DT even knows where the Sahel is.