The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Governance, Peace and Security in the Sahel

In this G5 Sahel edition, the assessment shows that the crisis has had a moderate impact on governance, peace and security in the G5 Sahel to date—countries include Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The effect of COVID-19 on the state of governance has varied across the G5 Sahel nations. COVID-19 risks reversing development gains of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and threatening the livelihoods of millions of people in the G5 Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. Extremist groups have integrated COVID-19 in their narratives and propaganda to gain more support and also providing basic services to communities in dire need.

Through the lens of governance, peace and security, the brief provides an overview of the Government responses to COVID-19, state of the economy, livelihoods, food security and public health, the impact of COVID-19 on bilateral country relationships, regional borderlands dynamics and initiatives taken by African regional institutions. The brief concludes with a set of recommended regional action for consideration.