Insecurity in Sahel Discussed at NAN Lecture

Dr. Mohamed IBN Chambas, the African Union Chief Mediator in Sudan, highlighted that weak governance, corruption, and foreign interference are significant factors driving insecurity in the Sahel region during a lecture in Abuja. He emphasized that military solutions alone are insufficient to tackle the complex issues that have led to increased violence, particularly in ungoverned areas. Former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, echoed these sentiments, linking ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria to poverty, unemployment, and institutional failures, while urging collaboration between citizens and government to combat these challenges. Both speakers noted the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in exacerbating the security crisis, as well as the historical context of conflicts in countries like Mali and Libya. The discussions underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of insecurity in the region, rather than relying solely on military intervention. The inaugural lecture aimed to foster dialogue on strategies for enhancing security in Nigeria and the broader Sahel region.