In November, Ambassador Kamissa Camara, professor of practice at the Ford School of Public Policy, presented to members of the European Trilateral Commission about “North Africa and the Sahel—Factors for Europe’s Future.”
Ambassador Camara discussed the European Union’s (EU) commitment to the Sahel region and the successful security and development partnership since Mali fell into the hands of jihadists in 2012. “Following the peaceful democratic election of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in Mali in 2013, the EU established training missions for police and civilians, not only in Mali but also in neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso,” Ambassador Camara described. “Over the past decades, the EU has been the number one development assistance partner and the largest donor in the Sahel, further solidifying its commitment to the region.”
“The political partnership between the EU and Sahel countries has been far less effective,” Ambassador Camara said. “This failure stems from the EU delegating political responsibilities in the region to France. France's historical baggage with Sahel countries and its diplomatic missteps have undermined its influence. As a result, the EU has suffered collateral damage due to France’s diminishing role in the Sahel".
About the Trilateral Commission
The Trilateral Commission, a non-governmental, policy-oriented forum, is devoted to maintaining an open, informed dialogue between Europe, North America, and Asia. Founded in 1973, the global membership organization brings together senior policymakers, business leaders, and representatives of media and academe to discuss and propose solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. The European Group of the Trilateral Commission is composed of 184 members hailing from EU member countries and a few additional neighbouring countries.
