Understanding power dynamics between intervening and host military forces: The case of the G5 Sahel Joint Force and external actors in the Sahel

Abstract

The G5 Sahel Joint Force was established in 2017 to combat terrorism, illicit trafficking and transnational crime in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. To fulfil its mandate, it was quickly determined that the joint force should receive assistance from external military actors already operating in the Sahel. Despite significant support from external actors in the form of finances, equipment, training and mentoring, provided with the aim of building a strong and autonomous G5 Sahel Joint Force, the joint force never developed into an efficient coalition, and the security situation in the region has continued to deteriorate. This dissertation examines the military cooperation between the G5 Sahel Joint Force and external actors in the Sahel through the theoretical lens of relational power. It reveals that these actors have found themselves in a relationship of asymmetric interdependence. This type of relational dynamic did not allow for the G5 Sahel Joint Force to develop ownership nor responsibility for the security theatre it has operated in. In essence, this dissertation furthers our understanding of the relationships between intervening and host military forces and encourages future research on such military cooperation through the lens of relational power.