The Sahel's New Scramble: Profits of Instability Extend West
Here's what they buried between the lines: 1. THE ACTORS: Who benefits from chaos? The immediate culprits are 'bandits' and 'extremist groups' like Boko Haram and ISWAP, as the AP notes. However, the larger actors are often overlooked: multinational corporations, particularly in mining and energy, and states seeking to secure strategic resources. Nigeria, Africa's largest oil producer, has seen
its political economy intertwined with extractive industries since the 1970s. The violence creates a pretext for increased military presence – often Western-backed – and the displacement of local populations from resource-rich lands. Local elites, often tied to these foreign interests, also gain through illicit trade and control over displaced populations and scarce resources. 2. THE FUNDING:
Tracing the financial lifelines of instability While the AP mentions 'kidnappings for ransom,' the funding mechanisms are far more complex. Records show that criminal networks engaging in illegal gold mining and other illicit trades in the Sahel region generate billions annually. For example, illicit gold mining alone in West Africa, much of which flows through intermediaries to global markets, is
estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year (UNODC, 2020). These funds are not only used for weapons but also to bribe officials and fuel regional influence. Furthermore, the 'fight against terror' often translates into significant military aid and contracts for Western defense firms, creating its own economic incentives for continued conflict. 3. THE INCENTIVES: Why extend the