Violent Extremism and Disinformation in the Sahel Countries

The Sahel region, a semi-arid belt of land in Africa stretching from Senegal to Sudan, has been a hotbed of violent extremism and disinformation. This article explores the interplay between these two phenomena, their implications, and potential solutions.

The Rise of Violent Extremism

Over the past decade, the Sahel has seen a surge in violent extremism. Groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) have exploited the region’s socio-economic vulnerabilities to establish a foothold.

• Boko Haram: Originating from Nigeria, Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks in the Lake Chad Basin, causing widespread displacement and humanitarian crises.
• AQIM: AQIM has been active in the Sahel since the early 2000s, primarily in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
• ISGS: ISGS emerged more recently, capitalizing on local grievances and inter-communal conflicts to expand its influence.

Disinformation as a Tool of Extremism

Disinformation plays a crucial role in the strategies of these extremist groups. They use it to recruit members, incite violence, and undermine state authority. For instance, they often spread false narratives about government corruption or religious persecution to stoke resentment and justify their actions.

Case Study: The 2012 Mali Coup

In 2012, disinformation contributed to a military coup in Mali. Extremist groups exploited political instability and ethnic tensions, spreading false information about the government’s alleged complicity in atrocities. This disinformation campaign helped to create a climate of fear and mistrust, paving the way for the coup.

The Impact of Violent Extremism and Disinformation

The combination of violent extremism and disinformation has had devastating effects on the Sahel region. It has not only led to loss of life and displacement but also hindered development efforts and exacerbated existing challenges such as poverty, food insecurity, and climate change.

Addressing the Challenge

Addressing violent extremism and disinformation in the Sahel requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes:

• Strengthening State Capacity: Governments need to improve their ability to provide basic services, enforce the rule of law, and counter disinformation.
• Community Engagement: Local communities must be involved in efforts to prevent radicalization and promote social cohesion.
• Regional and International Cooperation: Given the transnational nature of these challenges, cooperation at the regional and international levels is crucial.

Conclusion

Violent extremism and disinformation pose significant threats to peace and stability in the Sahel. While the situation is complex, with no easy solutions, it is clear that a comprehensive approach involving state capacity building, community engagement, and regional and international cooperation is needed. By understanding the dynamics of these challenges, we can work towards a more peaceful and prosperous Sahel.

Development of two policies with budgeted plans for the recruitment of primary school teachers and the payment of subsidies for community teachers in Chad

ALG has successfully completed the mission for the development of two policies in the education sector in Chad: a Policy and a budgeted plan for the recruitment of primary school teachers and the Policy and a budgeted plan for the payment of subsidies for community teachers.

• Country: Chad
• Beneficiary: Basic Education Learning Results Improvement Project (PARAEB)
• Funding: World Bank
• Period of implementation: December 2023-January 2024

Description of the intervention

This consultancy aims to develop two policy documents: the Policy and a budgeted plan for the recruitment of primary school teachers and the Policy and a budgeted plan for the payment of subsidies for community teachers.

Specific objectives
Define the budgeted policy for the recruitment of primary school teachers
Based on data from the general census of schools and its entities:

• Take stock of existing policies on teacher recruitment, including good practices in developing countries / similar or comparable;
• Assess the framework for recruiting teachers in the public service and propose guidelines to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders in the recruitment process of primary school teachers;
• Analyze practices for hiring teachers and managing their careers;
• Define criteria based on meritocracy for the recruitment of primary school teachers;
• Develop an allocation strategy that prioritizes rural communities in need and takes into account the local mother tongue;
• Identify and describe the main stages/dimensions of recruiting community teachers;
• Make a simulation on the state budget of integration into the state budget and propose different possible scenarios;
• Propose and assess the possibility of creating a new category for integrating primary school teachers and assessing the level of payment that can be sustainable in the State budget;
• Propose options for professional mobility of teachers integrated into the civil service;
• Propose options to ensure the recruitment of a greater number of women teachers;
• For the project, the objective is to integrate at least 2,000 teachers into the civil service over a period of five years, of which at least 1,000 will be women;
• Propose a budgeted strategy to ensure the integration of the 2,000 teachers over the next 5 years.