Sahel region of Africa

Sahel region of Africa

1. The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian Savanna to the south

2. MALI

   • Push factors
     • Environmental
       • Land-locked country, meaning no port access to the country, goods have to be flown or driven through other countries such as Senegal.
       • Drought-prone country with a consistent lac of rain from the last 30 years.
     • Political
       • Independence from France in 1960. Total reform of Government and is still undergoing protests.
       • Mai conflict: civil war which started in January 2012 between the Northern and Southern cities.
     • Economic
       • Among the 25 poorest countries in the world.
         • Their public debt is 30.5% of their GPD.
     • Social
       • Main industries are exporting gold, cotton, and livestock. Very little chance to get better-paid jobs. Very restricting in profit making.
       • 2014: population at 16 million, and consists demographically of young dependents between the age group of 0-19.

3. A few grouping of nations:

   • Economic Community of Western African States. Since 1976, and gives the right to free movement of people and goods.
   • Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF). It is one of five regional forces for Peaceful Support Operations (PSOs)
     • PSOs are a militant term used to describe a multinational operations conducted impartially in support of the UN mandate, involving diplomatic efforts.

Images and files in the map