Spain leaves the Sahel after 11 years in the field

Spanish troops, as part of the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) programme, have been involved in training Malian brigades for more than a decade.  

The operation was launched in February 2013, but it was not until April when the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved the sending of troops. They have trained more than 20,000 Malian soldiers.  

The key points of the mission were: training and advising, international participation, coordination with other operations and support for the peace process. EUTM Mali has sought to strengthen the capacities of the Malian Armed Forces in order to maintain stability in the region and prevent the proliferation of terrorist attacks. 

During its stay in Mali, Spain deployed more than 8,300 military personnel, including four generals who led the mission. The objective of the mission was to increase the Malian army's capacity to combat jihadist terrorist groups that threaten the country's territorial integrity. 

In addition to its role in the military mission, Spain also implemented development projects that benefited local populations. 110 quick-impact projects have been implemented, including support for the development of children's education, the empowerment of women in Mali and improved access to water and medical care. In addition, more than 80 donations were managed and delivered, including basic items such as clothing, non-perishable food and hygiene products. 

Spain's withdrawal from the mission is an important moment in the history of international cooperation in Mali. It is important that efforts continue to support countries in their fight against terrorism and poverty. 

Why did they settle in Mali?

The choice of Mali is mainly due to four factors. The first is instability and conflict. Mali has experienced a number of problems in recent years that have affected the security of its citizens with the entry of many extremist terrorist groups into the country. 

The request for international assistance. The Malian government, due to the situation, was forced to seek assistance from the international community and the EU. 

There was a need to strengthen military capabilities. The constant influx of terrorist groups into the country forced the armed forces to upgrade and request better weaponry to sustain the situation within its borders. 

Finally, the regional context. Mali is in one of the regions that suffers the most from terrorism each year. The expansion of the Wagner Group and the departure of groups and sub-groups born out of the Arab Spring in 2011 has caused the region to become a nest of terrorists seeking to completely destabilise the region. 

Where is it and why is securing the Sahel key to international security?

The Sahel region, a semi-arid region stretching along the southern edge of the Sahara, contains many countries with a rich cultural and geographical diversity. These countries include Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Senegal, Sudan, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Each of these countries brings its own uniqueness and challenges to the Sahel, creating a mosaic of landscapes, traditions and communities that define the richness and complexity of the African region.

Extreme climatic conditions, recurrent droughts and unpredictable rainfall have led to poverty and resource scarcity in the region. In addition, the Sahel region has witnessed inter-communal conflicts, terrorist insurgencies and humanitarian crises exacerbated by political instability and migration flows.

Migration in the Sahel region has had a devastating impact on people's lives and on the stability of the affected countries. Forced migration has caused the disintegration of families, generated job losses and destroyed communities. Lack of access to basic services such as health care, education and clean water exacerbated migrants' health problems and made them vulnerable. 

The two main drivers of migration in the region are violence and unrest, which have led to the persecution and death of hundreds of people, and poverty and inequality, which have driven people to seek economic opportunities in affluent countries. Immigration is a major challenge for host countries, which must address the integration of migrants and ensure their welfare and security. 

To meet the region's urgent requirements and encourage sustainable development, humanitarian groups must cooperate and support humanitarian groups. 

The Sahel in Russian and Chinese hands: an uncertain future for the region

Western withdrawal from the Sahel is a process that has accelerated in recent years. The termination of the EUTM-Mali mission is an example of this phenomenon. Scandals in recent months have led to the withdrawal of French troops after the country refused to extend its mission. 

Niger's military government, which took power in July 2023, demanded the withdrawal of French troops last October. Now, Niger's government is demanding the withdrawal of US troops. Thus, the three countries - Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali - led by the military junta that seized power by force in the last two years have rejected Western intervention in their territories. 

The West's withdrawal is inversely proportional to Russia's growing influence in the Sahel. The new government in the region sees Moscow as an ally whose support does not require political or social reforms. As a result, China's involvement is more trade-related, as China is interested in accessing regional resources such as minerals, but its economic alliances with Russia make the West doubtful about the possible plans that the two giants may be hatching in the region.