IN a candid assessment, Josep Borrell, the European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, has acknowledged that the EU’s investment of $640 million in training security personnel in the Sahel region over the past decade has failed to strengthen democracy. This admission comes in the wake of Niger’s recent experience with a coup, highlighting concerns about the effectiveness of the EU’s Sahel policy.
Speaking before the European Parliament, Borrell outlined the significant financial commitment made by the EU, stating, ‘When I do my sums, it shows me that over the past 10 years, we’ve spent over 600 million euros ($640 million) on civilian and military training missions in the Sahel.’ He further revealed that approximately 50,000 security and military personnel underwent training in various Sahel countries, including Niger and Mali, during this period.
However, Borrell emphasised that despite these investments, the training missions did not succeed in fortifying the armed forces’ capacity to support democratically elected governments. The region has experienced political instability, with Niger becoming the latest partner to endure a military coup when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in July. This coup marked the third instance of armed seizures of power in the Sahel region in recent years, following similar events in Mali and Burkina Faso, neighbouring former French colonies.
Expressing scepticism about the prospects of a civilian training mission working with Niger’s interior security forces, Borrell indicated that another mission, launched earlier in the year to enhance the Niger military’s capacity, might not proceed as initially planned.
The EU has already been compelled to reduce its training mission in Mali due to the involvement of Russian Wagner group mercenaries following the junta’s ass
umption of power in 2021.
Borrell underscored the need for a re-evaluation of the EU’s Sahel policy, suggesting a shift toward a more strategic approach that encompasses greater engagement with the so
cieties in this fragile region. He acknowledged that there may have been an excessive focus on military development at the expense of broader societal engagement and support.
