Jihadist Fluidity and Resilience in the Sahel

• In Event: Terror Group Dynamics

Abstract

This paper explores the multiple types of relations between armed groups in the Sahel, focusing more specifically on the jihadist groups in the “three borders” region between Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. In this region, jihadist groups are evolving in a context of “armed politics” with many non-state armed groups as competitors but also foreign forces (French military operation Barkhane, MINUSMA) and national troops of the Sahelian countries as opponents. However, jihadist groups are resilient and seem to adapt to the different constraints and situations. First, this study documents the historical evolutions and inter-relations between ethnic communities (Tuareg, Dawsahak, Fulani, Mossi and Dogon) and armed groups (rebels, ethnocentric militias, paramilitary and jihadist groups) since 2016 in these three countries. This contextualization will identify the main oppositions and alliances between jihadist groups and the other non-state armed groups. After that, using the sociology of social movements and the literature on radicalization, this research builds a theoretical framework explaining the concomitant resilience and fluidity of the jihadist landscape in the Sahel. At a macro level, the focus will be on the borders of the respective countries. They are a key resource to escape the vigilance of the states and establish a safe haven. However, jihadist groups are also able to survive because they are evolving in a highly fragmented political environment (castes, tribes, ethnic groups or even competitive fractions in the same tribe). The meso-level analysis will look at the different opportunities created by the balance of power between brokers and middlemen of the various Sahelian communities. Finally, the narratives used by jihadist groups are also helping them to renew regularly their recruits among the different ethnic communities. The micro-level analysis will focus on the discourses used by the leaders of jihadist groups and their compatibility with the local imaginaries of the population. This presentation is based on eight months of field research in Mali and Niger between 2016 and 2017, as well as multiple research trips to France and Algeria to interview security experts.

Author

• Adib Bencherif, Université de Sherbrooke