Italy’s Strategic Role in the Sahel: Challenges and Opportunities After the French Withdrawal.
by Andrea Molle.
After the withdrawal of the last French military mission, Italy remains the only European country with a significant presence in the Sahel. This opens several opportunities but also presents various challenges that Rome will have to address with as integrated a strategy as possible. Italy indeed has a significant military presence in sub-Saharan Africa, with several missions aimed at ensuring security, combating terrorism, and supporting the stability of the region. These missions see Rome engaged in Niger, Chad, Djibouti, Somalia, and the Gulf of Guinea, both through bilateral operations and within the framework of EU, NATO, and UN missions. Italy maintains a military presence in Niger as part of the “MISIN” mission (Bilateral Support Mission in the Republic of Niger), launched in 2018 with the aim of supporting local authorities in contrasting terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime. The operation fits into Italy’s broader commitment in the Sahel, aimed at ensuring stability and security in the region, countering threats that can also impact Europe, such as irregular migration flows.
The Italian mission in Niger primarily focuses on training and mentoring local security forces to improve their operational capabilities. Italian military personnel, drawing from various branches of the Armed Forces, provide courses on combat techniques, special operations, surveillance, and border control. Additionally, logistical and medical support is an essential component of the operation. The Italian contingent in Niger consists of several hundred units, with the possibility of deploying up to 470 soldiers, 130 vehicles, and aircraft for logistical and reconnaissance needs. Italy has established its operational base in Niamey, the capital of Niger, collaborating with local authorities and other international partners, including the United States and previously France. The operation is also part of a broader cooperation framework between Italy and Niger, which includes development initiatives, humanitarian aid, and investments to improve the economic and social conditions of the African country. However, the political situation in Niger is unstable, with the recent 2023 coup leading to a review of relations between the Nigerien government and Western states, including Italy.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainties, the Italian mission in Niger remains a key part of Italy’s defense and security strategy in the Sahel, contributing to the stabilization of a region crucial for the geopolitical and economic balance of both the region and Europe. Beyond Niger, Italy also maintains a limited military presence in neighboring Chad, focusing mainly on liaison, training, and supporting international missions in the Sahel region. This commitment is part of a broader multilateral cooperation effort aimed at combating terrorism, stabilizing the area, and strengthening local security forces’ capabilities. Italy’s activities in Chad work in synergy with operations led by international organizations such as the European Union, the United Nations, and the G5 Sahel, providing strategic and operational support through intelligence sharing, military training, and coordination with other military contingents in the area. Lastly, Italy participates in several initiatives to improve the country’s border security, prevent arms trafficking, and counter radicalization, all key elements for the stability of Chad and the Sahel region as a whole.
The Italian approach is distinguished by a strong emphasis on civil-military cooperation, promoting not only security but also the development and resilience of local communities. Italy also established a military base in Djibouti, the Italian Support Military Base (BMIS), operational since 2013. Located strategically in the Horn of Africa, the BMIS serves as a logistics and operations hub, developing intelligence capabilities for Italian armed forces engaged in missions in the East Africa region and the Indian Ocean. This base is a key infrastructure supporting anti-piracy operations, contributing to the security of shipping routes and the patrolling of international waters. It also provides logistical and operational support to various Italian and European missions in the region, including Italy’s participation in the EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation (against piracy in the Gulf of Aden) and the EUTM Somalia mission, dedicated to training Somali armed forces.
The presence of the BMIS also allows for the rapid deployment of Italian units in case of emergencies or crises in the area, strengthening Italy’s role in the security and stabilization of the Horn of Africa. The base hosts military personnel and advanced support infrastructure, allowing maintenance of vehicles, supplies, and assistance to Italian forces and allied missions. In addition to military aspects, the BMIS also represents a point of cooperation with local Djiboutian authorities, helping to strengthen diplomatic relations between Italy and Djibouti and support regional security, stability, and development initiatives. Italy maintains a significant presence in Somalia, actively contributing to the country’s security and stabilization through two main international missions. These are the EUTM Somalia (European Union Training Mission in Somalia), an EU mission active since 2010, aimed at training and mentoring the Somali National Army (SNA) to strengthen its operational capabilities and enable the Somali government to deal with internal security threats, particularly from the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
Italy plays a leading role in this mission, providing military instructors, advisors, and strategic support. Italian personnel are involved in training Somali officers in tactical, strategic, and logistical aspects, as well as promoting international humanitarian law principles. The goal is to build a professional and efficient Somali army capable of ensuring the country’s security autonomously. In addition to military training, the mission focuses on the development of Somali military leadership and strengthening defense institutions, contributing to the creation of a more effective command and control chain. The other operation, called Operation Atalanta, is a naval mission of the European Union (EUNAVFOR Atalanta) launched in 2008, aimed at combating piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, protecting merchant navy ships, and ensuring the safety of strategic maritime routes.
Italy actively participates in the operation with naval units, helicopters, and military personnel, performing patrols and providing escorts for commercial and humanitarian ships, particularly those of the World Food Programme (WFP) heading to Somalia. The Italian Navy has played a prominent role in the mission, contributing to the deterrence of piracy and maintaining security in international waters. Operation Atalanta has had a significant impact, drastically reducing pirate attacks and strengthening cooperation among international naval forces. Italy, in addition to its operational contribution, has frequently held high-level commands within the mission, confirming its commitment to global maritime security. In addition to participating in these missions, Italy maintains strong historical and diplomatic ties with Somalia, a country that was an Italian colony until the mid-20th century. Italy’s commitment goes beyond the military aspect, encompassing development cooperation, humanitarian support, and initiatives for political stabilization.
Through the EUTM Somalia and Operation Atalanta missions, Italy significantly contributes to the security and stability of the Horn of Africa, consolidating its role as a key actor in international operations in the region. Finally, with Operation Gabinia, Italy has committed to strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, a crucial area for international oil and goods traffic, but also one of the regions most affected by maritime piracy. The deployment of Italian naval units aims to combat piracy, protect commercial ships (particularly those flying the Italian flag), and ensure the security of maritime infrastructure critical to global economic interests. All these operations are part of a broader Italian engagement in the region, which includes economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation with several West African countries.
Italy is working to develop strategic partnerships that include development initiatives, humanitarian aid, and investments to improve the economic and social conditions of the countries involved, thereby contributing to their stability and reducing the root causes of instability and forced migration. Key areas of intervention include training local security forces, border control, combating illicit trafficking (drugs, weapons, humans), and the fight against jihadist terrorism, which represents a growing threat in the Sahel region. Strengthening local security and intelligence capabilities is critical to counter groups such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Boko Haram, and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), who exploit institutional weaknesses and ethnic tensions to expand their influence.
An additional objective that Italy will need to pursue more decisively in the future is containing the growing geopolitical penetration of Russia and China in the region. Moscow has strengthened its military and political presence through paramilitary groups like the Wagner Group, providing support to authoritarian regimes and military juntas in exchange for natural resources and strategic bases. Beijing, on the other hand, continues to expand its economic influence through significant infrastructure and financial investments, often through debt mechanisms that bind local governments to Chinese interests. In the face of these developments, Italy, in coordination with the United States and other NATO partners, will need to strengthen its political-military presence, intensify cooperation with local governments, and promote alternative development models based on sustainability and the economic self-determination of African countries.
Italy’s commitment to West Africa is therefore increasingly seen as a delicate balance between security, diplomacy, development cooperation, and the protection of national and European strategic interests.