Sahel Alliance unites for education and stability in challenging time

More than 150 representatives from more than 30 countries and international organisations convened in Berlin, Germany, on July 16th, 2024, for the Sahel Alliance’s 5^th General Assembly. The meeting was also attended by Sahelian Authorities.

During the General Assembly, Sahel Alliance members reiterated their collective commitment to addressing the region’s development priorities. Despite the complexity of the situation in the region, members expressed their willingness to remain engaged and committed for the long term to the people of the Sahel countries, with a particular emphasis on youth.

In this context, Alliance members ensured funding for development projects, totalling almost 23 billion euros, with “Education, employment and youth” identified as an important intervention sector.

From 2017 to 2022, thanks to the support of the Sahel Alliance members, 22.5 million persons received livelihood support and/or food assistance, 8 million persons gained improved access to drinking water supply services and more than 5 million children were vaccinated. Furthermore, 1.5 million persons received vocational training and/or skills development courses.

Improving education and training for young people 

The General Assembly was chaired by German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze. She highlighted the profound political changes and ongoing challenges in the Sahel, including climate change, governance, unemployment, terrorism, and desertification. Minister Schulze emphasised the importance of continuous engagement and dialogue, focusing particularly on the young generation in the Sahel. She stressed the need to improve education and training for young people to help them better adapt to climate change and support their families.

Priorities reaffirmed and new initiatives

In a concerted effort to enhance their impact at scale, Sahel Alliance members are currently working to advance joint initiatives centred on three strategic priorities:

1. creating employment and revenue opportunities for youth through education, training, skills development, and entrepreneurship;
2. building resilience to shocks, in particular through social protection, ecosystems restoration, and food security;
3. promoting territorial development and access to basic services.

New Partnership to support education

A new partnership between the World Bank and Germany has been created to mobilise resources for the regional joint initiative RELANCE in support of education and skills development.

Sahel Alliance members also welcomed the establishment of the Sahel and West African Coastal Countries Umbrella Trust Fund, which will serve as a new financing vehicle to support joint initiatives and coordinate approaches. Further endeavours are underway to pursue other joint initiatives, in particular on shock resilience.

Strengthening partnerships with civil society organisations 

Following the General Assembly, a dialogue with civil society organisations (CSOs) and local governments from the Sahel was organised, recognising their vital role in promoting peace, development and social cohesion. The Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with CSOs and supporting their efforts to empower communities and promote human rights.

The General Assembly concluded with the confirmation of Svenja Schulze for a second term as President of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and the ratification of the World Bank Vice-President for West and Central Africa Ousmane Diagana’s mandate as President of the Operational Steering Committee for a third year.

(Sahel Alliance/ile)

Read more on the website of the Sahel Alliance