Franco-Russian Great Power Rivalry in the Sahara-Sahel Region

Abstract

The Franco-Russian great power rivalry is a powerful security dynamic shaping the Sahara-Sahel region that was formed in the last decade due to transnational (in)security processes, namely, the transnational terrorism-migration-crime nexus. The confrontation between Paris and Moscow, which commenced at the end of last decade, is largely a consequence of the weaknesses and inefficiency of the French foreign policy in the region, which Russia strives to exploit to its political and economic benefit. The hotspots of this confrontation are Libya and Mali, where the Franco-Russian rivalry has led to the global securitization of the conflict (in both countries), transformation of the regional balance of power (in Libya), and the aggravation of existing security problems (in Mali). Overall, the Franco-Russian rivalry in the Sahara-Sahel region is a phenomenon of the upcoming age of multipolarity and a new Scramble for Africa.