Violence in central Mali shows no signs of letting up. A local official confirmed that attacks carried out by factions such as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, linked to Al Qaeda, have left more than 70 dead in recent days. The offensive strikes civilians and worsens the humanitarian crisis in a region already battered by conflict.
Drones and sensors: technology against terrorism in the Sahel 🛸
Facing the jihadist threat, Sahel countries have begun deploying surveillance systems with armed drones and ground sensors. These devices make it possible to track the movements of armed groups in hard-to-reach areas. However, a lack of coordination between armies and scarce resources limit their effectiveness. Artificial intelligence applied to data analysis could improve attack detection, but its implementation remains a logistical and financial challenge in the region.
Peace and WiFi: the magic recipe no one uses 😅
While leaders promise solutions, the reality is that in Mali, peace is negotiated with Kalashnikovs, and development trickles in slowly. The closest they get to technological progress is when fighters use Google Maps to avoid getting lost among the dunes. If they put as much effort into installing routers as they do into hiding explosives, perhaps the Sahel would have 5G coverage before a lasting truce. But hey, dreaming is free.