Peace and Security Challenges in the Sahel and Their Geopolitical and Economic Impacts

The Sahel region, stretching across Africa from Senegal to Sudan, faces profound peace and security challenges that threaten regional stability, economic integration, and geopolitical cohesion. Armed conflicts, terrorism, and intercommunal violence, fueled by weak governance, poverty, and climate change, have turned the Sahel into a hotspot of instability with far-reaching consequences.

Security Crisis and Regional Instability

Jihadist groups such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) exploit porous borders and ungoverned spaces, launching attacks against state forces and civilians. Coups d’états in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have further destabilized the region, weakening regional counterterrorism efforts like the G5 Sahel. The withdrawal of French and UN forces has created a security vacuum, increasing reliance on Russian Wagner Group mercenaries, which shifts geopolitical alignments and strains relations with Western partners.

The Sahel’s instability has turned it into an arena of international competition. Russia, the EU, the United States, and regional powers like Algeria and Morocco vie for influence, complicating conflict resolution. France’s declining presence has diminished Western leverage, while Russia capitalizes on anti-Western sentiment to expand its footprint. Additionally, tensions between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and military-led Sahel states threaten regional cooperation. Ongoing violence disrupts trade, displaces populations, and scares foreign investment. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’s potential is undermined by insecurity along key corridors linking coastal and Sahelian states. Cross-border commerce suffers due to terrorism and sanctions, as seen with ECOWAS’s restrictions on Mali and Niger. Moreover, humanitarian crises divert resources from development projects, perpetuating poverty, and radicalization.

Problem Statement

The Sahel region remains trapped in a cycle of instability due to terrorism, weak governance, and geopolitical rivalries, undermining regional security and economic integration. Despite international and regional interventions, conflicts persist, exacerbating humanitarian crises and fragmenting cooperation among states. This raises critical question: How do security dynamics in the Sahel shape regional geopolitics and hinder economic integration?

Scientific Objectives

This analysis seeks to examine the dynamics of conflict (terrorism, ethnic tensions, climate stress, and governance failures) and their impact on regional security, Economic Integration and analyze how foreign interventions and changing alliances influence conflict resolution and sovereignty in the Sahel.

Research environment

Candidates are expected to carry out their research full-time within the structures of the Euromed University of Fes.

PhD Student’s Responsibilities

The PhD student will be expected to:

• Conduct original and independent research in the field of geopolitics, Produce high-quality scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (Scopus).
• Participate actively in doctoral seminars, workshops, and conferences.
• Contribute to academic life within the university (research activities, scientific events).
• Respect ethical standards, research timelines, and institutional regulations of the doctoral program.

Candidate Profile

Le candidat doit avoir de solides prérequis en géopolitique, relations internationales, sciences politiques et une grande connaissance de l’Afrique. Il doit également avoir une grande maîtrise de la méthodologie, un grand sens d’analyse et une très bonne rédaction. Il doit avoir une grande capacité à travailler dans un environnement académique international et interdisciplinaire. Il doit avoir une grande maîtrise du Français (la maîtrise de l’anglais est un plus).

The application file must include the following documents:

• CV with photo
• A cover letter
• A copy of diplomas
• A copy of academic transcripts
• A copy of CIN/Passport

Submission of the application file

The application file must be sent to the Doctoral Studies Center (CEDoc) of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fes by email no later than February 14, 2026, to the following email address:

Euromed-CEDoc@ueuromed.org

For more information

Administrative Affairs Officer of the CEDoc:
Ms. Boutaina Jai Mansouri – b.jai-mansouri@emadu.ueuromed.org

Director of Research and of the CEDoc:
Prof. Abdelghafour Marfak – a.marfak@ueuromed.org

Thesis supervisor

Pr. Kamal KAJJA – k.kajja@ueuromed.org