The Sahel is facing a tumultuous period. Popular unrest over the handling of the region’s security crisis has led to recent military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso. France has redeployed its military presence away from Mali in favour of a tightened partnership with the democratically elected government of Niger. How are these developments perceived by civilians in the Sahel? What attitude should foreign governments adopt in the face of rising authoritarian tendencies? What policy responses are conceivable beyond military engagement alone?
On Tuesday 11 October, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and PAX for Peace are organizing a roundtable discussion to reflect on these questions.
Experts based in the Netherlands and in the Sahel, from both civil society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will discuss recent developments and ask what these entail for Dutch foreign policy in the Sahel.
Join us on 11 October at the Nutshuis in The Hague for a discussion on relations between the Sahel and the Netherlands in a changing world. Sign up through the form below! Please note the number of spots available is limited.
Practical details
Date Tuesday 11 October
Time 16:00 – 17:30
Location Nutshuis, Riviervismarkt 5, 2513 AM, The Hague
Accessibility See here
Programme
- 15.45 – 16.00 Doors open
- 16.00 – 16.05 Welcome by moderator Thijs Berman (NIMD, Executive Director)
- 16.05 – 16.15 Introduction by Grace Ellis of think tank Clingendael
- 16.15 – 16.40 First round table on perspectives from the region with Celia D’Almeida (NIMD, Mali), Cheickna Yaranangore (NIMD, Burkina) and Ibrahima Ba (NIMD, Niger)
- 16.40 – 17.25 Second round table on supporting inclusive democracy and peacebuilding in the Sahel with Lucas Koppen (PAX, Senior Programme Officer), Wael Abdul Shafi (PAX, EU Political Advisor) and Tijmen Rooseboom (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Special Envoy for the Sahel Region).
- 17.25 – 17.30 Concluding remarks
- 17.30 – 18.30 Drinks
Questions?
Mail your questions to f.bovelander@paxforpeace.nl.