Paper short abstract:

The Sahel region has great potential in natural resources, energy, and tourism. Unfortunately, it has also faced many challenges such as poverty, poor governance, security issues, and the more recent military coups. Military inventions has spark several causal explanations within the region.

Paper long abstract:

The Sahel region is rich in natural resources, energy sources, tourism opportunities, and cultural diversity. Sadly, it has also struggled with many difficulties such as poverty, poor governance, political instability, and security issues. Groups like militant Islamists, insurgents/terrorists, bandits, and rustlers have caused significant damage to the socio-economic and political fabric of the region. Despite its wealth, the region has not experienced the desired development or the dividends of democracy. Consequently, military interventions have taken place in at least five countries within the region. While some attribute the reasons for this to internal dynamics, others believe that external political machinations of Western states are to blame. This study aims to explore the reasons behind this resurgence from the perspectives of regional and global power politics, as well as neo-colonialism. The study will use two theories - the relative deprivation theory of war and the conspiracy theory - to explain a series of recent military coups in the Sahel. It will use a historical approach and qualitative method, drawing information from existing literature, content analysis of editorial and reportage of media outlets, and expert opinions on the subject matter.