Description
Title: The Atlantic Project for the Sahel Region: A New Paradigm for Connectivity, Development, and Shared Security . Concept Note:
This panel will critically examine the transformative potential of the African Atlantic Project for the Sahel region, a strategic initiative launched in November 2023 to address the chronic challenge of landlockedness facing Sahelian states including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad . By facilitating access to the Atlantic Ocean through Moroccan maritime and land infrastructure, particularly the future Dakhla Atlantic Port, the initiative proposes a development-centred alternative to purely militarised approaches in a region marked by political transitions and complex security threats . The panel will explore the project's three core pillars—maritime connectivity (including the Dakhla-Sahel corridor and Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline), energy integration, and economic cooperation—while critically assessing the diplomatic, financial, and security challenges that could shape its success . Particular attention will be given to the roles of key stakeholders, including Mauritania as a strategic transit partner, the Alliance of Sahel States, and the implications for regional geopolitical realignments . The objective is to generate actionable recommendations for transforming this ambitious vision into a framework for tangible regional integration and sustainable development.