The security of key highways in sub-Saharan West Africa against the backdrop of the coup d’état in Niger
The coup in Niger threatens key West African trade routes and requires regional cooperation to improve security from potential disruption by armed groups
Dear Readers,
Political instability in Niger as a result of the recent coup d’état threatens key trade routes in West Africa, particularly the Trans-Sahara Highway and the Dakar-Ndjamena Highway. These roads, important to the region’s economy, are now vulnerable to disruption by terrorist and armed groups.
The Trans-Sahara Highway, which stretches from Algeria to Niger, is a major transportation route for goods and people. The Dakar-Ndjamena highway, which runs from Senegal to Chad, also plays a key role in transit traffic. Both highways are located in regions characterized by insecurity and are now under severe threat.
The coup d’état in Niger has raised fears that insecurity on these highways could increase. Political upheaval often fosters conditions that allow armed groups to disrupt commerce and trade as they seek control of these important transportation routes. This can also allow these groups to obtain weapons and other vital resources.
Instability also risks weakening security forces along these highways, which weakens resistance to operations by terrorists and militant groups. This situation extends beyond Niger to other African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic. These countries, which are part of the trans-African road network, are plagued by conflict, terrorism, instability, and insecurity that disrupt regional trade and threaten road safety.
Unfortunately, parts of the trans-African highways that are part of the Trans-African Highways, a system of transcontinental road projects in Africa operated by the Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank, and the African Union, are unfinished or in poor condition, making mobility and economic integration difficult. The Trans-African Highways are intended to promote the African economy, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the trade road network. The location of these highways in conflict zones also makes them attractive targets for armed groups and undermines security and peace in West Africa.
To protect these vital highways, countries in the sub-Saharan West African region must work together to improve protection. However, this task is complex because of the vulnerabilities of these trunk roads, such as their remote location, lack of infrastructure, and inadequate security presence. Thus, the U.S. base in Niger, with its drone unit, plays a critical role in monitoring and securing these trunk roads.
Political instability, such as the coup in Niger, makes these highways even more vulnerable. Not only does this unrest make consistent security preparedness difficult, it also emboldens terrorists and increases the likelihood that they will attack key trunk roads. Therefore, countries in the sub-Saharan West African region must join forces to increase security and prevent potential attacks.
Various regional and international actors, such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), which supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in managing conflicts and security threats, play a crucial role. Their efforts strengthen peace and security capacities in West Africa, and it is imperative that the coup in Niger does not undermine these initiatives.
I am convinced that the creation of a stable sub-Saharan West African region is the key to removing the basis for terrorism.
Yours sincerely
Thomas Hellmuth-Sander
