Watan – Amid fluctuating regional dynamics and escalating global competition in the African Sahel, the UAE has significantly increased both its operational and diplomatic presence in the area, pursuing a strategy that goes beyond merely promoting economic cooperation.
In early May, a senior Emirati mission spearheaded by Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, traveled to Bamako (Mali) and Niamey (Niger). While characterized as a diplomatic engagement, the visit undertook a more extensive agenda aimed at altering the balance of power in the region.
The UAE’s Initiative: Moving Beyond Bilateral Engagement
Sources indicate that this Emirati initiative responds to the diminishing influence of Algeria in supporting liberation movements and opposition factions across the Sahel, thus creating a political and security vacuum.
Abu Dhabi seems to perceive this situation as an opportunity to fortify its influence by establishing a new regional framework focused on three main goals:
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Developing security partnerships with the transitional military governments that have come to power following coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
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Offering political and logistical support to these governments against pressures from both Western and African entities, particularly in relation to their suppression of civil society and democratic dissent.
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Subtly diminishing the Tuareg-led Azawad movement in northern Mali by advocating for a new Emirati-supported “security roadmap” that overlooks long-standing aspirations for autonomy or independence.
Abu Dhabi’s Strategy: Emphasis on Power Rather Than Democracy
Observers are alarmed not only by the marginalization of civil society forces but also by the recurrence of a familiar Emirati approach seen in Sudan, Libya, and the Horn of Africa.
This strategy revolves around:
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Supporting authoritarian or transitional governments,
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Providing political legitimacy and military assistance,
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Offering economic aid conditional on arms transactions or strategic benefits.
In Mali, the UAE has bolstered its relations with a military council facing accusations of human rights violations. In Niger, it proposes “development options” to mask public discontent following the recent coup.
These options seem less focused on authentic progress and more on restructuring the political landscape to align with Abu Dhabi’s long-term goals—even at the expense of stability and democratic processes.
Collaboration with Morocco: A Strategic Front Against Algeria
Even more troubling is the reported collaboration between the UAE and Morocco regarding their strategy in the Sahel. Morocco has offered Sahelian governments access to the Atlantic Ocean—a significant geopolitical lure for nations seeking alternatives to Algeria’s historical dominance.
This partnership between the UAE and Morocco seeks to isolate Algeria geopolitically, proffering military and economic partnerships to Sahel states while sidelining civil society and nudging these governments toward autocratic, externally managed alliances.
Prioritizing Influence Over Development
Essentially, the UAE does not approach the Sahel as a partner in development. Instead, it regards the region as a strategic gap to be filled with top-down alliances aimed at ensuring regime stability and gaining strategic leverage.
This strategy aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader foreign policy goals: expanding influence through security partnerships rather than fostering sustainable development or promoting democratic reforms.
As it deepens its involvement in Libya, Sudan, and now the Sahel, the UAE is not only reforming political structures but also reinterpreting governance and security through a centralized, authoritarian model.
A Geopolitical Landscape That Overlooks Local Needs
Ultimately, the UAE’s strategy is straightforward: infiltrate contested regions to reshape them according to its preferences, disregarding local balances and historical rights.
As global powers mostly remain passive, a structured form of chaos emerges in areas once perceived as territories for liberation and advancement.
For Algeria, now a target of this dual geopolitical strategy, the situation is formidable. It must regain control in its traditional sphere of influence or risk being marginalized in a newly evolving regional order that is taking shape right outside its borders.