Sahel alliance: official tributes meet persistent insecurity

Following a recent gathering of defense ministers from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Bassolma Bazié, president of the CN-CES, extended heartfelt commendations to the dedicated Forces of Defense and Security across Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. This robust tribute was accompanied by a discourse emphasizing the unwavering commitment to territorial integrity, the protection of civilian populations, and the pursuit of a sovereignty heralded as historic.

However, this official narrative increasingly prompts a critical question within public discourse: Do these declarations of satisfaction genuinely align with the harsh realities experienced by the populace?

Since the formation of the AES, authorities in the three nations have consistently highlighted a newfound sovereignty and strategic autonomy. Yet, on the ground, numerous communities continue to grapple with persistent armed attacks, widespread population displacement, and an overarching insecurity that remains a formidable challenge. In this context, the repeated accolades for security forces, while undeniably legitimate given the profound sacrifices made by soldiers, fall short of addressing the expectations of citizens, who ultimately gauge success by tangible results.

This growing disparity becomes particularly stark when considering the human toll of the ongoing crisis. As armed forces pay the ultimate price on the front lines, the daily lives of civilians are defined by a harrowing struggle for survival. Thousands of families are compelled to abandon their homes, seeking refuge en masse in neighboring countries in a desperate search for the peace and security their own states can no longer guarantee. The sight of citizens transformed into refugees beyond their borders serves as the most concrete indicator that the sovereignty lauded in ministerial chambers remains a distant, abstract concept for those directly affected.

In the face of this exodus and tragic loss of life, the stance of leaders, who primarily offer official tributes and posthumous speeches, raises a disquieting question: Can such an approach genuinely secure the populace or stem the rising death toll? The evidence suggests otherwise. Eulogies and medals cannot fortify front lines, protect isolated villages, or restore lost lives. By merely celebrating the sacrifice of soldiers instead of rectifying the strategic shortcomings that lead to their demise, political action appears to dissolve into mere symbolism, leaving the underlying causes of insecurity unaddressed.

The fundamental mission of any defense policy, however, remains the concrete improvement of public safety. When civilians continue to live under the constant threat of attacks, when certain regions remain largely inaccessible, and when humanitarian crises persist, discourses celebrating the successes of security strategies can appear profoundly disconnected from the realities on the ground.

The notion of a « real sovereignty » also warrants careful scrutiny. For many observers, sovereignty is not solely measured by the assertion of political or diplomatic independence. It is also evaluated by a state’s capacity to guarantee security, ensure the free movement of its people, protect essential public services, and offer prospects for stability to its citizens. Across these vital indicators, the challenges within the Sahelian region remain substantial.

Military personnel engaged on the front lines often pay a heavy price, and their dedication is widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, honoring soldiers does not absolve political leaders of their duty to critically evaluate the strategies being implemented. The sacrifices made by the armed forces should be accompanied by transparent deliberation on the efficacy of military and political choices, to ascertain whether stated objectives are truly being met.

Ultimately, the most profound way to honor defense forces extends beyond official pronouncements. It primarily involves establishing the conditions for a lasting improvement in security and the daily lives of the population. As long as inhabitants continue to endure the consequences of instability, declarations celebrating a fully acquired sovereignty are likely to be met with skepticism by a significant segment of the public.