Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
- Statement-II: There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Both statements are correct. UN briefings to the Security Council describe armed groups and violent extremists gaining influence across West Africa and the Sahel, with security deteriorating in large parts of the region. Repeated military coups, in Mali and Burkina Faso among others, are themselves destabilizing governments, so Statement-II helps explain Statement-I.
- ✓ Statement-I UN officials told the Security Council that security had again deteriorated in large parts of the region, and voiced concern at terrorist threats spreading from the Sahel towards coastal West African countries.
- ✓ Statement-II The President of the ECOWAS Commission cited a recent spate of military coups in the region, including in Mali and Burkina Faso. The UN briefing noted that such repeated coups are destabilizing governments, which adds to the instability in Statement-I.
Remember · Sahel: rising armed-group violence and repeated military coups (Mali, Burkina Faso and others) feed each other's instability.
Sources
- As Armed Groups, Coups d'État Destabilize West Africa, Sahel (UN Security Council meeting coverage SC/15169, 10 January 2023) ↗ “Armed groups and violent extremists are increasing their influence in West Africa and the Sahel while repeated coups d’état are destabilizing Governments, political experts from the region informed the Council today. … the recent spate of military coups d’etat in the region, including in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2024, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·