Fragility, conflict and climate change in Mali and Sahel
Channel: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, NUPI
Date: 13/12/2018

The combined effects of fragile states, conflict, and climate change pose severe challenges to development and governance. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Sahel region, which encompasses some of the world’s poorest and most fragile states. In the Sahel – an area encompassing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – it is Mali which has become the culprit of violence. However, also Niger has received increased attention lately, as the key migrant route in Western Africa passes by the Northern Nigerien city of Agadez before entering Libya and Algeria.

In this seminar, Ibrahim Ag Youssouf, Tuareg linguist and former facilitator in the Malian peace process of the 1990s, speaks on Mali’s recent history and the situation in Mali today. Next, research professor Morten Bøås will speak of the regional context and the new research project FRAGVENT, which looks at violent entrepreneurs in Libya, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Then, junior research fellow Bård Drange will speak on the international presence in the region. Finally, Mali-expert and former Minister Councilor at the Norwegian Embassy in Mali and coordinator for the Mali-program at the University of Oslo Alida Boye will comment on the presentations given.

Senior research fellow Kari Osland will moderate the debate, which will be live streamed on NUPI’s YouTube channel.