TRENDS Surveys elites’ Opinion on the causes and impact of political instability in the African Sahel Region

The Global Barometer Department at TRENDS Research and Advisory and the Dubai Office Sector at TRENDS are conducting a questionnaire on the elites’ opinion towards "the causes and impact of political instability in the African Sahel countries". The questionnaire is an attempt at understanding the underlying challenges facing the Sahel region and the possible solutions to address such challenges.

The survey is conducted by the Global Barometer Department at TRENDS as part of keeping abreast with the regional and global crises that warrant deep analysis. Such events require proper gauging of different opinions on their root causes and future effects.  

Geopolitical Awareness

Dr. Mohamed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, said that the survey entitled "Causes and Impact of Political Instability in the African Sahel Countries" focuses on academics, researchers and specialists in political and strategic issues. It measures the respondents’ geopolitical awareness of the state of political instability in the African Sahel region.

Dr. Al-Ali added that the survey shall identify the views of a specific group on the major geopolitical problems and challenges facing the African Sahel countries. These challenges include terrorism and extremism, ethnic and religious conflicts, transnational crime (such as smuggling and human trafficking), weak governance and corruption, border disputes, scarce resources (such as water and food), lack of socio-economic development, foreign intervention and others.

Effects of instability

Fahad Al-Mahri, Head of Dubai Office Sector at TRENDS said that the questionnaire addresses the roles of the regional and international players in the political life of the Sahel countries. The main players here are France, the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and certain African countries. He indicated that the poll also measures the effects of political instability on socio-economic development, human rights, civil liberties, security, regional cooperation and access to basic services.

The survey addresses the main causes that drive great powers scramble for the Sahel region, which may be “economic interests, strategic military projection, counterterrorism efforts, access to resources, political influence, humanitarian assistance and rivalry with other powers” Al-Mehri said.

Great Power Competition

Sultan Al-Ali, Director of the Global Barometer Department at TRENDS Research and Advisory, explained that the questionnaire raises the question of the extent to which the respondents believe that the competition between great powers affects the African Sahel region. The questions include whether this impact is reflected in political stability, economic development, the security situation, the sovereignty of the Sahel countries, or overall regional cooperation.

He indicated that the survey addresses the role of regional organizations, such as the African Union, in mediating or mitigating the impact of great power scramble for the Sahel region. Moreover, the questionnaire measures the optimism of the respondents towards the possibility of charting a clear positive change that could improve political stability in the Sahel region.

The "Causes and Impact of Political Instability in the Sahel Countries" survey is available in Arabic and English on the TRENDS website to allow the largest segment of specialist elites to participate in it.