NOVAFRICA Seminar: Oliver Vanden Eynde, Paris School of Economics — “Cooperation between National Armies: Evidence from the Border Regions in the Sahel”

Evidence from a study in the Sahel region shows how cross-border military cooperation influences conflict dynamics in fragile regions.

As part of the 2025/2026 NOVAFRICA Seminar Series, we are pleased to welcome Professor Oliver Vanden Eynde from the Paris School of Economics (PSE),on Wednesday, 29th October, at 11:30 AM (Lisbon time), room D012, Nova School of Business and Economics, Carcavelos campus, who will present his paper:

“Cooperation between National Armies: Evidence from the Border Regions in the Sahel.”

Abstract

The effectiveness of security operations often depends on cooperation between national armies. Such cooperation can be particularly important when international borders are porous and armed groups can operate across borders. We investigate how the creation of an international armed force that could operate across international borders (the G5-Sahel Joint Force), together with improved communication between national armies, affected conflict dynamics in the Sahel region. Relying on a regression discontinuity design, we find that the G5 mission lowered the intensity of conflict locally in its zone of operation, especially along border segments more porous due to their geographical features or ethnic composition. Further analysis of geographical conflict propagation patterns indicates that the G5-Sahel force facilitated security operations in border areas.

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