Luca Ferrini reveals the inefficacy of the European military intervention in the Sahel from 2013 to 2022

Luca Ferrini, a researcher at the Institute for Research and Development, has demonstrated that the 50,000 soldiers deployed by the European Union in Mali and Niger between 2013 and 2022 did not achieve the expected results in terms of stabilization and counter-terrorism. This study, supported by the Ceped laboratory - UMR 196, questions the foundations of European security policies.

The European military intervention in the Sahel, deployed between 2013 and 2022, mobilized approximately 50,000 soldiers from 14 member states. Despite this military commitment, the results in terms of stabilization and counter-terrorism are deemed disappointing. Luca Ferrini's research addresses the dissonance between commitment and results, highlighting the beliefs and perceptions of local populations regarding the interventions.

Luca Ferrini analyzed 10,000 tweets, 120 parliamentary debates, and 50 semi-structured interviews to understand the underlying dynamics of these interventions. The results show that concerns related to terrorism and migration have shaped a fragile consensus among EU member states, but this consensus is insufficient to support prolonged military commitments in the face of divergent interests.

The findings of this research underscore the need to redefine military intervention strategies in West Africa. Decision-makers must prioritize sustainable and integrated approaches that promote local resilience. Investors should focus on collaborative projects that meet the needs of populations while ensuring security, in order to minimize the risks of political instability.

« « Despite the deployment of 50,000 soldiers, the effectiveness of the European military intervention in the Sahel remains widely contested, » says Luca Ferrini. »

« « This research highlights the importance of accessing in-depth knowledge to inform strategic security decisions in West Africa, » emphasizes the Lektaris team. »