We tend to focus our attention on events that occupy the news headlines. Often this means that parts of the world that deserve our attention as Muslims are neglected or we spend little time to try to understand their significance. And who can blame us? The Muslim world is engulfed in conflict and famine and led by authoritarians that care little for the welfare of the people.

The Sahel, a region spanning the countries in West Africa, has been rocked by instability for the past few years. There is what the west calls an Islamist insurgency that has provoked international intervention, from France (the former colonial power) but also the United States. There’s speculation that Russia and China are also interested in the region. The region is one of the richest in the world in terms of natural resources, including oil, gold and uranium. Yet it’s one of the poorest in the world, the proceeds of these extractive industries rarely reaches the people. 

This week, we talk to Dr Alex Thurston, a specialist in the region, and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Cincinnati to explain why the Sahel is important. Alex has written extensively about the Sahel and is an authority, regularly contributing to reports and discussions. 

For articles suggested by Dr Alex Thurston for further reading on the subject, see here

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