European Engagement in the Sahel

European countries have faced complexity after complexity in European and international engagement in West Africa this past year. Mali and Burkina Faso’s ousting of French forces, the liquidation of MINUSMA (the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali), and now uncertainty over Russian paramilitary group Wagner’s involvement in the region.

At this roundtable, European representatives discussed how they would like to operate a strategy that supports sustainable counterterrorism and potential challenges.

Panelists included:

Damien Cristofari, Senior Advisor on European Affairs at the Chancellery

Dr. Michael Shurkin, Nonresident Senior Fellow for Atlantic Council’s Africa Center

Petr Tuma, Czech Diplomat

Tammy Palacios (Moderator), Senior Analyst, New Lines Institute