In this episode of the Unpopular Opinion Podcast, Rida Lyammouri unpacks the escalating tensions between Mali and Algeria following the downing of a Malian drone. The conversation traces the historical roots of the crisis, examines the shortcomings of imposed peace agreements, and reviews the diplomatic fallout involving the AES states. It also sheds light on the collapse of regional institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union, while critically assessing the roles played by global powers such as France, Russia, and China. Finally, the discussion explores how growing youth support for military coups is reshaping the power landscape across the Sahel.
Speakers
Rida Lyammouri
Senior Fellow
Rida Lyammouri is a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS). He is also a senior West Africa and Lake Chad Basin researcher and advisor, with expertise in regional conflicts, violent extremism, climate change, migration, and trafficking. His research activities focus on geopolitics and international relations in the West African Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, regions he has worked on for 14 years, including in the field. He has extensive experience supporting both governmental and non-governmental organizations in the areas of international development, security, countering violent extremism and terrorism, preventing conflicts, ensuring humanitarian access, and migration. Mr. Lyammouri has contributed to in-depth research and analysis reports aiming at building ...
