Contributions
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Alexandra Heldt
Cooperation, but not at any price
Berlin and West Africa are engaged in lively diplomatic exchanges. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, while the German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, will host 18 Sahel Alliance members in Berlin. Germany is extending diplomatic efforts while withdrawing militarily; last week, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the unexpected withdrawal of the remaining German troop contingent from Niger.
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Alexandra Heldt
Storm in the Sahel: geopolitical tensions, ECOWAS in crisis and the German troop withdrawal
The sudden withdrawal of German soldiers from Niger marks a phase of uncertainty and change in West Africa. While geopolitical alliances are being reorganised, questions are being asked about the future of ECOWAS and the long-term stability of the region.
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Alexandra Heldt
La CEDEAO, AES et le retrait des troupes allemandes du Niger
Au Sahel, les températures montent. Les températures climatiques qui provoquent depuis des mois une chaleur insupportable et d'innombrables morts. Mais l'ambiance est également houleuse entre les pays du Sahel. Les coups d'État militaires des quatre dernières années dans six pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest ont entraîné des sociétés divisées au niveau interne, des changements d'alliances au niveau régional et un éloignement de l'Occident, en particulier de la France, et une dépendance accrue vis-à-vis de "nouveaux" partenaires tels que la Russie, la Chine, etc. au niveau international.
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Alexandra Heldt
Westafrica and the EU elections
As the fog lifts after the European Union elections, the echo of uncertainty is quietly echoing beyond Europe's borders to the coasts of West Africa. From Dakar to Abidjan, the EU elections and their results have had little to no impact on the general population. What would have been the talk of the town 10 years ago - the huge gains made by right-wing forces and the resulting government crises in France, for example - seems secondary. At most, in informed circles, one senses a sense of uncertainty, mixed with admiration for the ideals that the European Union has long embodied.