AFRICA - TRANS-SAHEL ‘NEW FRONTIER’ IN GLOBAL COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS

MORE DECISIVE INVOLVEMENT IN SAHLE  SHOULD BE LONG-TERM GEOPOLITICAL OBJECTIVE  OF THE EU BUT DIFFICULT TO SELL TO THE PUBLIC 

Via Defense Web

The SAHEL-SAHARA region is the ‘new frontier’ in global counter-terrorism operations, prompting major transitions in US and French military positioning, according to a new report. 2014 is a critical year for militarization of the SAHEL-SAHARA and the entrenchment of foreign powers there. 

Background Information: 

INSTABILITY IN THE SAHEL COULD PROMPT INCREASED MIGRATION AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING WHICH IS BOUND TO SPILL OVER INTO EUROPE. 
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/11/mali-sahel-and-france.html

THE REMOTE SAHEL-SAHARA IS THE LABORATORY FOR EXPERIMENTS IN 21ST CENTURY COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS

“With the drawdown of foreign forces from AFGHANISTAN, 2014 is the year when the Global War on Terror really comes to northwest AFRICA,” said Richard Reeve, lead author of the report. “The remote SAHEL-SAHARA is the laboratory for experiments in 21st century counter-terrorism operations. These are defined by their open-ended length, “light-touch” approach - with limited boots on the ground and a reliance on special forces, drones and private military companies - and an increased capacity and willingness to intervene militarily to protect US interests. As these operations increase, there is real concern, not just about their effectiveness in countering violent extremism, but the long-term impact these operations will have on the region’s stability.”

Background Information: 

SEVEN ECONOMIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ARE EXPECTED TO BE AMONG THE TEN FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/africa-forgotten-and-underestimated.html

THE SAHEL-SAHARA AREA, HOME TO AL-QAIDA IN THE ISLAMIC MAGHREB (AQIM), ANSAR AL-SHARI’A AND BOKO HARAM

Recurrent security crises since the 2011 ARAB uprisings and NATO-assisted overthrow of LIBYA’S Gaddafi regime have radically changed international perceptions of northwest AFRICA as a focal area of activities by jihadist groups. The SAHEL-SAHARA area, home to over 200 million people, is also home to three primary jihadist groups – Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar al-Shari’a and Boko Haram. 

Background Information: 

FRENCH TROOPS SHOULD HUNT QAEDA BEYOND MALI BORDERS
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/11/france-and-mali.html

As a result of the security threats present, the SAHEL-SAHARA is now a priority area for FRENCH and US external counter-terrorism operations, the report noted. FRANCE has been the dominant external security actor there for over a century and sees a direct threat to its citizens and territory from regional terrorist groups. 

EU INTERESTS IN SAHARAN ENERGY RESOURCES (OIL, GAS, URANIUM) 

EUROPEAN states, and increasingly some ASIAN states, have strong interests in SAHARAN energy exports (oil, gas, uranium) and trade, including arms sales. The US had few regional interests before 2002; the September 2012 deadly attack on its diplomats in BENGHAZI radically changed its perception of the threat to its interests from the SAHEL-SAHARA.

Background Information: 

EU FUNDS MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE SAHEL UNTIL 2020

http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/11/european-union-acknowledges-need-of.html

WHY THE SAHEL IS CRUCIAL TO EUROPE'S NEIGHBORHOOD – AND ITS SECURITY STRATEGY
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/07/eu-involvement-in-mali.html

BUILDING A “COMMON EU VISION” FOR SAHEL SECURITY
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/11/hotspot-sahel.html

FRANCE: FROM SHORT-DURATION MISSION IN NORTHERN MALI TO A PERMANENT POSTURE AT OVER A DOZEN LOCATIONS ACROSS FIVE OR MORE SAHEL STATES

On 1 August, FRANCE formally initiated its redeployment of military forces under Opération Barkhane. This sees FRENCH land, air and special forces move from a high intensity, short-duration mission in northern MALI to a permanent posture at over a dozen locations across five or more SAHEL states. 

Background Information: 

FRANCE AND THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
FRANCE reluctant to be left alone to deal with another AFRICAN hotspot – MALI, CHAD and now the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/10/france-and-central-african-republic.html

The military operation launched in January 2013 against AQIM and its allies in northern MALI was one of at least seven such FRENCH-led interventions in the region since 1968. However, it was the first major overt operation by an external power to target jihadist groups and it was the most multinational, the report noted. 

At least 22 other countries provided direct support for Opération Serval and the associated AFRICAN-led International Support Mission to MALI (AFISMA). Opération Barkhane and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MALI (MINUSMA) entrench the presence of over 9,000 external security forces in the SAHEL-SAHARA with mission and mandate to combat terrorist groups.

NEW CRISIS RESPONSE CONCEPT “NEW NORMAL”

The new report notes that the US is increasing its presence more steadily in line with the maturation of its newest combatant command, AFRICA Command (AFRICOM), and the rolling out of a crisis response concept known as the “New Normal”. Already tested in SOUTH SUDAN and LIBYA, this could see US Marines establish bases across the continent with the capacity to deploy within hours to anywhere that US citizens and interests are threatened.

The report also finds that SAHEL-SAHARA operations are increasingly using “remote-control” methods, with a heavy reliance on special forces, drones and private military and security companies. The true nature and extent of counter-terrorism operations in the SAHEL-SAHARA can only be guessed at. 

Covert operations using Special Operations Forces have become an increasing feature of US operations. Several hundred are believed to be present in the region on undisclosed “contingency operations”. Since at least 2013, FRENCH, UK, CANADIAN and DUTCH special forces also operate in MALI, NIGER and NIGERIA. Air-mobile US Marines task forces are increasingly deploying to AFRICA from bases in SPAIN and ITALY and are known to be seeking at least one “Intermediate Staging Base” in coastal WEST AFRICA.

INCREASED UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE OPERATIONS OVER AFRICA 

FRANCE and the US are increasing their intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the SAHEL-SAHARA, the report finds. NIAMEY airport in NIGER is their main ISR base in the SAHEL, where each operates two unarmed versions of the MQ-9 Reaper “hunter-killer” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The FRENCH base at N’DJAMENA in CHAD has also been used for UAV operations, notably during the current US response to the Chibok abductions in northeast NIGERIA. However, the most potent US UAVs operating over AFRICA are probably based at SIGONELLA in SICILY. So far, the only recorded regional usage of armed UAVs has been by the US during the NATO -led intervention in LIBYA in 2011, although there is some evidence of armed US UAVs over SOMALIA. 

Background Information: 

CHAD AND ITS OIL RESERVES
Mounting border conflict with SUDAN may hinder economic development
 http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/10/chad-and-its-oil-reserves.html

ALGERIA, the most capable regional actor, has immediate plans to acquire long endurance combat UAVs for use in the SAHARA. Given gaps in its UAV coverage from NIAMEY, SIGONELLA and DJIBOUTI, the US is likely to seek further long-term UAV basing facilities, possibly in SENEGAL and CHAD, the report predicts. Meanwhile, FRANCE, the US and (sporadically) the UK and SPAIN operate a significant number of manned ISR aircraft across the SAHEL-SAHARA.

CONTRACTING OF PRIVATE MILITARY AND SECURITY COMPANIES BY THE US ON THE INCREASE 

Something the report delves into is the contracting of private military and security companies by the US in a number of sensitive roles, including the running of ISR operations. Private military and security contractors (PMSCs) are a small part of FRENCH operations in the SAHEL-SAHARA but have run key parts of AFRICOM’s covert counter-terrorism operations in the region. These include running a post-2007 ISR operation using light aircraft (Operation Creek Sand), transporting special operations forces, providing medical evacuation and search and rescue capacities, and to stockpile aviation fuel at regional airports. MINUSMA will contract PMSCs to operate its unarmed UAV s from MALI.

Background Information: 

ASIDE OF INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE, THE USA ALSO EXPANDED ITS COVERT INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS ACROSS AFRICA
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/usa-china-and-africa.html

AFRICOM EXPANDS MISSION IN AFRICA: 
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html

USA INCREASES ITS PRESENCE IN AFRICA "THE RISING CONTINENT", WHILE EUROPE KEEPS ON UNDERESTIMATING IT
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/africa-and-usa.html

REGIONAL COUNTER-TERRORISM TRAINING ALSO INCLUDES THE EUROPEAN UNION, CANADA, ISRAEL, COLOMBIA AND JAPAN

The report notes that counter-terrorism training to regional security forces has become ubiquitous under AFRICOM’s multifaceted TRANS-SAHARA Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and is likely to be expanded significantly under the Counterterrorism Partnerships. In addition to FRANCE, a range of second-tier external actors also play a role in regional counter-terrorism training, including the EUROPEAN UNION, CANADA, ISRAEL, COLOMBIA and JAPAN.

The use of abduction and illegal rendition of terrorism suspects appears to have been a minor aspect of recent counter-terrorism operations in the SAHEL-SAHARA. However, there were numerous such cases documented between 2001 and 2004 implicating ALGERIA, The GAMBIA, LIBYA, MAURITANIA and MOROCCO. MOROCCO, the US’ primary regional ally, was accused of hosting secret detention and torture facilities. Since October 2013 US special forces have twice abducted terrorist suspects from LIBYA and taken them for trial in the US without the consent of the LIBYAN government.

INTERVENTION IN MALI APPEARS TO HAVE DISPLACED AQIM AND ITS ALLIES INTO LIBYA, NIGER AND POSSIBLY NIGERIA

Over its eighteen months, Opération Serval in MALI (January 2013 to July 2014) achieved tactical successes within major strategic limitations, according to the report. The (overstated) advance south of jihadist groups was repelled and control of much of the north was returned to the MALIAN government. However, FRENCH, AFRICAN and UN intervention has not addressed the political and social nature of the northern rebellion and has limited ability to protect civilians against a terrorist rather than insurgent threat. Moreover, intervention in MALI appears to have displaced AQIM and its allies into LIBYA, NIGER and possibly NIGERIA. UN mandates for ongoing FRENCH operations in parallel to MINUSMA effectively authorise an indefinite right of deadly pursuit of groups that FRANCE may define as terrorists. This is a dangerous precedent that goes beyond the normal understanding of peace support operations and UN accountability, the report cautioned.

The US has set much more strategic objectives for its TSCTP but so far has seen marginal success. While AFRICOM and Washington have established a regular military presence in all regional countries and thus a close knowledge of its local partners’ capabilities, there is little recognition of the often toxic nature of these partnerships, according to the report. Successes in building capacities of MAURITANIAN and CHADIAN elite units is balanced by dismal failures in MALI and LIBYA and the disruption caused by repeated political interventions, mutinies and coups by elements of allied regional militaries.

Background Information: 

LIBYA A FAILED STATE - Volatile SAHEL region
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/10/libya-failed-state.html

LIBYA THE WILD WEST OF NORTHERN AFRICA - Porous borders turn LIBYA into radical sanctuary
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/10/libya-wild-west-of-northern-africa.html

FRANCE, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT THE US, RELIES HUGELY ON THE SUPPORT OF CHAD’S AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENT FOR BASING AND COMBAT SUPPORT

Governance and human rights are considerably undermined by the current securitisation of policy in the SAHEL-SAHARA, the report finds. FRANCE, and to a lesser extent the US, relies hugely on the support of CHAD’S authoritarian government for basing and combat support. Undemocratic governments in ALGERIA and MAURITANIA have also been able to normalise their international relations, including arms imports, as crucial partners in SAHARAN counter-terrorism operations. Perceived international protection may discourage some regional governments from seeking internal political settlements. The elected MALIAN government seems to have interpreted the post-2013 FRENCH military spearhead and UN shield as a reason not to pursue a peace process with northern separatists.

Background Information: 

FRANÇAFRIQUE
http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.com/2013/10/african-and-france-new-era.html

Rather than discrediting terrorist ideology as planned, the heightened visibility of US and FRENCH forces in the SAHEL-SAHARA and the strengthening of Islamist militia during the LIBYAN civil war appears to have significantly increased the profile and activity of jihadist groups. The threat they pose to the US, FRANCE and EUROPE from SAHEL-SAHARAN jihadist groups is still largely assumed; neither AQIM, Boko Haram nor Ansar al-Shari’a has yet launched an attack outside its home region, the report finds. While some disruption of such groups has been effected since 2013, at least the motivation for retaliatory attacks is likely to increase as the militarisation of the SAHEL-SAHARA continues.

“This report on the increasing use of remote-control methods in US and FRENCH led counter-terrorism operations in the SAHEL-SAHARA raises many important questions. The report reveals how, amongst other things, private contractors are involved in some of the most sensitive of counter-terrorism operations - including the operating of unarmed drones from MALI - as well as an increased reliance on special forces and drones,” said Caroline Donnellan, manager of the Remote Control project. “These emerging counter-terrorism methods raise broader concerns regarding the accountability and transparency of these operations.”