Donors look divided over approaches to the Sahel

Significance

The conference raised approximately USD1bn for 2020, and USD725mn for 2021. This met the organisers’ target for the conference itself, but fell short of the USD2.4bn the UN says is needed until end-2021. Furthermore, the conference hinted at scepticism over France’s largely counterterrorism-centred approach to the Sahel.

Impacts

• The pledges theoretically widen the space for Sahelian states to address violence and its causes.
• State security force abuses are a significant cause of conflict, which donors evaded at the conference.
• The large US pledge signals that, despite talk of military disengagement from West Africa, Washington remains invested in the Sahel.