The Sahel region, stretching across Africa from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, has become a hotspot for terrorist activities in recent years. The complex and multifaceted nature of the terrorism situation in the Sahel involves a mix of local grievances, weak state institutions, and transnational jihadist groups. According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) – “Jihadist Violence in the Sahel: Rise and Spread of Militant Islamism”, the key terrorist groups include Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), which is affiliated to Al-Qaeda. Formed in 2017, this group operates mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. JNIM conducts attacks against military and civilian targets, utilising guerrilla warfare tactics. The group aims to establish an Islamic state in the Sahel. There is also the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) which is affiliated to the Islamic State. It was formed in 2015 and operates mainly in the border regions of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. ISGS carries out high-profile attacks on military outposts and local communities. They are known for their brutality and seek to expand their influence in the region. And then there is Boko Haram, which split into two, with its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), aligning with the Islamic State. They normally operate in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Both factions engage in kidnappings, bombings, and attacks on security forces and civilians. Their goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Lake Chad Basin.
Driven by weak state institutions, local grievances, and economic hardships, the humanitarian impact of terrorism in the Sahel has been devastating. It has resulted in displacements, food insecurity, killings of innocent citizens, and disrupted critical social service delivery in the health and education sectors, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – “Sahel Crisis: Humanitarian Needs and Response”.
While international and regional efforts such as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, French Operation Barkhane and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), have made some headway, a comprehensive approach addressing governance, economic development, and social inclusion is critical for long-term stability. And one of the socially-inclusive means of dealing with the situation is the use of the Maharists.
Who Are the Meharists?
A “meharist” (or méhariste) refers to a camel-mounted soldier, traditionally part of the camel corps used in desert regions, particularly in North Africa. The term is derived from the French word “méhari” (a type of fast-running dromedary camel, which can be used for racing or transport) combined with the suffix “-iste” (similar to “-ist” in English) (Merriam-Webster) (La langue française). The dromedary camels are known for their hardiness and endurance, making them an ideal choice for cavalry, combat, and transport in the Sahara by Sahelian communities.
How Did They Come About?
The Meharists were formed as part of the French colonial forces to patrol and maintain order in the vast desert regions of North Africa. Their formation can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when France sought to consolidate its control over its colonial territories in the Sahara (UN Press). Historically, meharists were involved in various military and policing roles in the Sahara. During World War II, they served in “nomad groups” against Axis forces and later functioned as desert police, providing local law enforcement and basic medical assistance (UN Press).
What’s Their Mission?
In the modern era, the mission of the Meharists has evolved to focus significantly on counter-terrorism. They are integrated into the national armies of Sahelian countries like Mali, Niger, and Mauritania. Their deep knowledge of the terrain and ability to navigate the challenging desert environment make them invaluable in counter-terrorism operations (UN Press) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security). The Meharists contribute to broader initiatives, such as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, established in 2017 to improve regional security and coordinate counter-terrorism operations (UN Press) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Where Do They Operate?
The Meharists operate primarily in the Sahel region, a vast area that includes parts of Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Chad. Their operations are crucial in the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which has become a hotspot for terrorist activities (UN Press) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
How Do They Operate?
The Meharists conduct long-range patrols, gather intelligence, and engage directly with terrorist groups. Their operations are characterised by their mobility and ability to endure the harsh desert environment, making them effective in both offensive and defensive manoeuvres. They work in coordination with other regional and international forces, receiving training, funding, and logistical support from countries like France and the United States (UN Press) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Their Impact in the Fight Against Terrorism
The Meharists have played a significant role in counter-terrorism efforts. Their deep knowledge of the terrain and tactical advantage in the Sahel’s harsh environment have made them effective in combating terrorist organisations such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). Despite numerous challenges, including political instability and weak governance, their efforts have been crucial in disrupting terrorist activities and enhancing regional security (UN Press) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Overall, the Meharists remain a key component of the region’s counter-terrorism architecture, leveraging their historical roots and unique capabilities to address contemporary security challenges.
The cultural significance of using the Meharists in counter-terrorism
The Meharists are recruited from among nomads just as some of the terrorist groups also recruit from those communities. This means the Meharists, apart from their traditional knowledge of the Sahara and other parts of the Sahel, can speak and understand the language of the terrorists. They can also make cultural sense and meaning of some actions, inactions and things used by the terrorists. This can help them predict the next move of the terrorists to avert disaster or give them critical and useful clues about the terrorists’ operations. Also, the Meharists usually interact with the nomadic community members. Since they are from such communities, they are most likely to gather intelligence from the people easily. The sense of belonging and camaraderie between them and the communities could be of great importance to their operations and survival in the difficult terrain. The people become more or less their spies. “Have you seen anything suspicious in the area lately?” a Meharist soldier asked a nomadic opinion leader in a short BBC documentary during one of their patrols. “No, nothing,” he answered. The elderly man later told the BBC: “We’re happy when they (Meharists) pass by on patrol. They maintain stability,” adding: “Whenever they find someone suspicious, they will arrest them.” In the same documentary, the Chief Warrant Officer of the Meharists, Absar Sidi, told the BBC: “When the people are comfortable with you, they share information, which can prevent attacks, to prevent suspects from crossing the border.”
Apart from protecting the nomads and deterring terrorists in the Sahara, the Meharists are also conduits for health services, as they provide healthcare to local communities in a bid to strengthen ties and foster friendship. “When you help locals improve their quality of life, they are more resistant towards terrorism, since terrorists like to recruit from the poor and vulnerable,” Lt. Col Mohamed Salem Meme, Commander of the Nomad Unit (Meharists), told the BBC.
