Insecurity and instability in the Sahel continue to have dire implications for civilians in the region, with no clear prospects for peace in sight. The root causes of conflict and instability are multidimensional and mutually reinforcing. Weak governance, climate change, food insecurity, and displacement all play a role in driving fragility. The results are dire. At least 2,300 civilians were killed in Central Sahel in 2022 alone, and a decade of violence has displaced 2.7 million people. Over 33 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the long-predicted spillover effect of the instability in the Sahel is also playing out. Militant groups operating in central Sahel continue to spread their activities to littoral states (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo).
Despite investments in the region as well as short-term assistance, the situation in the Sahel continues to spiral. There is an acute need for even closer coordination between the U.S., the E.U., and Sahelian countries to address short-term humanitarian needs and support people in the Sahel in tackling the long-term underlying grievances driving conflict in the overall region.
On October 16, 2023, please join the CSIS Africa Program and the E.U. Delegation to the U.S. for the Sahel-Transatlantic Dialogues. Speakers will unpack developments in the region and explore practical policy options to address the crisis. This event will follow its forerunners: the Sahel Summit, the 2nd Annual Sahel Summit, and the 3rd Annual Sahel Summit.
The Sahel-Transatlantic Dialogues Agenda
Opening Remarks
9:30 am
Opening remarks by:
H.E. Santiago Cabanas, Spanish Ambassador to the United States
H.E. Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the EU to the United States
High Representative Hamadi Meimou, High Representative of the Coalition for the Sahel
H.E. Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs of the United States
Panel 1: The Policy Lens
10:00 am
Panel discussion and audience Q&A moderated by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele. Panelists include:
Emanuela Claudia Del Re, EU Special Representative for the Sahel
Antonio Sánchez-Benedito, Spanish Ambassador at Large for the Sahel
Kamissa Camara, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali
Coffee Break
11:00 am
Panel 2: Civil Society Perspectives
11:10 am
Panel discussion and audience Q&A moderated by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele. Panelists include:
Doussouba Konate, Country Director at Accountability Lab Mali
Donna Charles, Director of West Africa and Sahel at U.S. Institute of Peace Africa Center
Rama Yade, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Africa Center
End of Conference
12:10 pm
An informal networking lunch will be available for in-person attendees, from 12 pm-1 pm.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the European Union and the Embassy of Spain.
