Ciclo #ÁfricaEsNoticia | Conferencia 2: Terrorismo en el Sahel

This is the second conference of the four online seminars* which Casa África is organising on different topics related to western Africa and Sahel, led by experts and some of  the involved parties.

The objective of these meetings is twofold:

1. to increase understanding in Spain of various aspects related to security in the region, which is of prime concern for our country,
2. to generate a space which will provide a voice for both Spanish and African experts, and as a result, generate contact networks and mutual understanding.

Sahel, one of the focal areas for our country, has been witnessing violence increase year after year. The presence of Jihadist organisations like JNIM (Al Qaeda) or the Islamic State have not only forced instability on all the region, but also now threaten to extend it all across western Africa.

The role of international forces, particularly the French, is very noticeable. However, it does not appear to have made any significant mark on the region so far. According to data obtained from the International Observatory for Studies on Terrorism (OIET), 2020 ended with the worst figures registered in one month in the region: 345 people lost their lives in December alone as a consequence of the terrorist attacks perpetrated. This figure would reach 689 if the deaths of the members of the terrorist groups were added. During last year there were 3,887 deaths amongst civilians and military staff.

For all these and other reasons, this second conference in the cycle will discuss terrorism in Sahel and will include these guest speakers:

• Mohamed El Moctar Ag Mohamadoun, Commissioner for the Commission for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (CVJR) from Mali.
• Niagale Bagayoko, president of the African Security Sector Network (ASSN)
• General Fernando Gracia Herráiz, from the European Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali)
• Pilar Rangel, associate Professor in International Public Law and International Relations, University of Málaga
• Marta Summers, expert in intelligence analysis, from the Madrid Autonomous University.
• Colonel Jesús Díez Alcalde, Lieutenant Colonel from the Spanish Army
• Nuria Reigosa, Ambassador of Spain in Niger

We will be able to listen to this talk by the experts on Thursday 13^th May, 2021 from 6 p.m. (Madrid time) via the Casa África social network: Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

*This activity has received a grant from the Ministry of Defence.