Sub-Saharan Africa, Civil wars, Regional and interstate conflicts, Conflict prevention, Peacebuilding, Political systems
Since Mai 2022: Researcher in the Project "Megatrends Africa: Implications and Options for Action for German and International Policy"
2016-2022: Research Associate in the DFG-funded research project „International Intervention Against Sexualised Violence in Conflict Regions. Intended and Unintended Consequences“, University of Bremen
2014 – 2021: Consultant and Freelance Lecturer, Eirene, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Freie Universität Berlin
2009 – 2014: Civil Peace Service, Eirene and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Sahel and Great Lakes Region
2007 – 2008: MA International Conflict Studies, King’s College, London
Besides military operations, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum (2021–2023) used dialogue to address jihadist violence. However, the fragmentation and commercialisation of initiatives and a lack of coordination between civil and military measures hindered the promotion of sustainable peace.
doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB31
The recent wave of coups in the Sahel puts Western policy makers in a difficult situation: While they wish to maintain relations and vie for influence, they also want to avoid strengthening unconstitutional rule. Collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) who are supposedly closer to citizens, is currently discussed as a way out of the dilemma. However, this policy brief reveals that especially in authoritarian contexts, the lines between CSOs and the state are often blurred.
doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB28v02
One year after the coup, the Nigerien military junta is firmly in the saddle. In this Spotlight, Lisa Tschörner explains how the new rulers are mobilizing the population, staging a successful defence against threats, and expanding partnerships with authoritarian states in order to secure their power.
Niger was considered the last anchor of stability in the Sahel until 26 July 2023. Then the Western-trained army seized power - and has the support of much of the population. Tensions over the security crisis and the government's lack of legitimacy facilitated the coup and contributed to its success.
doi:10.18449/2023MTA-PB20
The French military operation Barkhane has concluded its withdrawal from Mali on 15 August 2022. As it relocates partially to neighbouring Niger, civil society has risen in protest there as well. Additionally, President Mohamed Bazoum’s announcement to increase the Diesel price ignited a public outcry. Megatrends Afrika spoke with Moussa Tchangari, secretary general of the Nigerien non-governmental organisation Alternative Espaces Citoyens (AEC), about the reasons for social discontent, new forms of protest, and possible ways out of the current security crisis.
Megatrends such as climate change, digitalisation, and urbanisation are transforming all aspects of politics, economics and society in Africa. Consequently, they are also affecting conflict dynamics. This Working Paper focuses specifically on how megatrends are altering patterns of foreign intervention in African conflicts. Two aspects stand out: the range of intervening powers is widening, and they are intervening increasingly at arm’s length by delegating to human or technical surrogates.
doi:10.18449/2022MTA-WP02