Nexus Between Military Rule and Private Military and Security Companies in the Sahel and its Impact on Terrorism

The Sahel’s tumultuous political landscape amidst successive coups by military juntas has become a hotbed for terrorists taking advantage of the ungoverned spaces created by the disconnect between states and their people to garner support and expand their influence. These coups are often sustained with the assistance of private military and security companies (PMSCs) like the Africa Corps of Wagner Group in terms of operating beyond legal frameworks exacerbating the already persisting fragility of these states. This not only perpetuates insecurity, but also makes the local population increasingly vulnerable to being recruited by terrorist groups due to the lack of trust towards the state and its security apparatus. States such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have a history of military coups and interventions. As such, by using a constructivist lens for the aforementioned case-studies, the intricate relationship between military regimes and PMSCs’ impact on terrorism can be evaluated via a multidisciplinary approach. Understanding this nexus is crucial for developing a holistic approach that identifies both the symptoms and root causes of instability to address terrorism in the Sahel.