Event

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, 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, former Minister Councilor at the Norwegian Embassy in Mali and former coordinator for the Mali-program at the University of Oslo Alida Boye, and Special Representative for Sahel in the Norwegian MFA, Halvor Sætre (TBC) 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:

Participants

Ibrahim Ag Youssouf

Linguist and former facilitator in the Malian peace process of the 1990s.

Morten Bøås

Research Professor

Bård Drange

Former employee

Alida Jay Boye

Mali expert

Halvor Sætre

Special representative for Sahel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway

Moderator

Kari M. Osland

Director