The Imperialist Web: How Western Interference and Corporate Greed Continue to Destabilize North Africa and the Sahel

The Geopolitical Landscape of North Africa and the Sahel

The North Africa and Sahel region represents a complex tapestry of emerging development initiatives, persistent security challenges, and ongoing geopolitical manipulation. While nations like Algeria push forward with strategic multimodal rail and mining development backed by the African Development Bank, and Morocco achieves agricultural export milestones and positions itself as Africa’s industrial transformation hub, darker forces continue to undermine regional stability.

The article reveals how jihadist groups, often fueled by external interests, combine with Russian influence to deepen instability across the Sahel, with violence now spreading into coastal states. This deterioration occurs alongside concerning authoritarian trends, such as President Kais Saied’s repression in Tunisia where opposition figures have launched hunger strikes. Meanwhile, American oil giant Chevron Corporation openly discusses new exploration projects in high-risk markets like Libya and Iraq, demonstrating the continued resource extraction mentality that has long plagued the region.

Western Hypocrisy and the Security-Development Paradox

What emerges from this complex picture is the stark hypocrisy of Western approaches to the region. While the U.S. State Department prepares to “defend its recent engagements” in Africa, it simultaneously stumbles on global-health commitments and applies shifting policies that primarily serve American interests. The so-called “security strategy” promoted by Western nations appears designed not to stabilize the region but to maintain a level of controlled chaos that allows continued resource extraction and geopolitical manipulation.

The UN Secretary-General’s urgent warning about deteriorating security across West Africa and the Sahel highlights the catastrophic human cost of these policies. Mounting casualties, expanding militant activity, and rising state fragility directly result from decades of foreign interference and neo-colonial economic arrangements. The case of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continuing operations despite U.S. sanctions demonstrates the limited effectiveness and genuine commitment of Western pressure when strategic interests are at stake.

Resource Extraction and Economic Neo-Colonialism

The Chevron Corporation’s discussions with Libya and Iraq represent the continuation of a destructive pattern where Western corporations exploit instability for profit. This resource extraction mentality has historically undermined African development by creating enclave economies that benefit foreign shareholders rather than local populations. Egypt’s $4 billion natural-gas deal with Hartree Partners and Morocco’s mining development initiatives show that African nations are increasingly aware of this dynamic and are seeking more equitable arrangements.

Morocco’s emergence as a key platform for Africa’s industrial transformation through the upcoming International Mining Congress 2025 demonstrates how African nations are learning to leverage their resources for genuine development rather than mere extraction. This shift toward value-chain integration and industrial development represents a fundamental challenge to the neo-colonial economic model that has dominated North-South relations for centuries.

The Double Standards of International Engagement

The article reveals the stark contrast between Western rhetoric and action. While the U.S. administration talks about engagement with Africa, its policies consistently prioritize American corporate and strategic interests over African development needs. The training of Libyan military personnel by Italy’s “Irini” naval mission continues the pattern of security cooperation that often serves to prop up compliant regimes rather than build genuine stability.

The Central Bank of Egypt’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged despite rising inflation reflects the difficult balancing act that Global South nations must perform when navigating international financial pressures and domestic needs. This monetary policy caution occurs within a global financial system designed primarily to serve Western interests and maintain economic dominance.

Toward Sovereign Development and South-South Cooperation

The most promising developments in the region come from initiatives that bypass traditional Western-dominated frameworks. Algeria’s combative diplomatic positioning, Morocco-Mauritania bilateral environmental cooperation, and Chad’s $30 billion national electricity development program all represent moves toward greater regional autonomy and South-South cooperation.

The African Development Bank’s backing of Algeria’s multimodal rail and mining development shows how African institutions are increasingly supporting African solutions to African challenges. This trend toward endogenous development and regional integration offers the most viable path forward for North Africa and the Sahel.

Conclusion: Rejecting Imperialism, Embracing Sovereignty

The situation in North Africa and the Sahel demonstrates the urgent need for a fundamental rethinking of international relations in the region. The continued suffering caused by jihadist violence, foreign interference, and economic exploitation must end. Nations of the Global South must strengthen their cooperation and reject the neo-colonial frameworks that have limited their development for so long.

The path forward lies in genuine South-South cooperation, respect for national sovereignty, and development models that prioritize human needs over corporate profits. The people of North Africa and the Sahel deserve peace, stability, and development free from external manipulation and exploitation. Only by rejecting imperialist interference and embracing authentic regional solutions can this vision be realized.