Dr. Malte Michael Lierl

Military coups in the Sahel countries have shaken the foundations of Europe’s foreign policy towards the region. Amidst the growing influence of Russia, how should European governments position themselves?

The collapse of elected civilian governments – as in Mali, Afghanistan and Guinea – raises the question of the legitimacy of a government. The author of this GIGA Focus argues that elections alone are often not enough to legitimise a government of fragile states in the eyes of the citizens.

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August, foreign aid has frequently been framed as a possible lever the international community can use to push them to moderate their rule. The authors state, that international assistance isn’t the political lever many hope it will be.

Entrevista de Deutsche Welle con el Dr. Lierl (GIGA) sobre los acontecimientos políticos en el Sahel. 

NDR Info interviews Dr. Malte Lierl on the politics of the Niger coup and external intervention in the Sahel.