Description
French interventions in North Africa and the Sahel have significantly shaped local, regional, and global security trajectories since the violent process of colonization. This panel aims at exploring the different dimensions of French involvement in the region, examining their historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and implications for regional stability and international security dynamics.
From colonial legacies to post-colonial interventions, French presence – broadly defined – in North Africa and the Sahel has been marked by geopolitical interests ranging from counterterrorism efforts to international development. By examining different means of international intervention, this panel seeks to highlight processes of continuities and changes in French policy towards the Sahelian region and North Africa area.
Moreover, the panel examines the local and regional dynamics within societies in the region, exploring how French intervention intersects with indigenous political, social, and economic realities. It critically analyzes the consequences of French military operations, development initiatives, and diplomatic engagements, interrogating their implications for state sovereignty, human rights, and regional stability.
Lastly, this panel investigates the broader geopolitical implications of French intervention, considering its ramifications for transnational security threats and regional power dynamics. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, between scholars and policymakers, and providing insights that can influence both research agendas and policy, this panel aims to connect the role that local contexts, regional initiatives, and global forces play in shaping security trajectories in North Africa and the Sahel.
