“Three Borders” project

The three-country point joining Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, known as the Liptako Gourma region, has become a hotspot for an unprecedented range of security threats: various radical groups operating in the area, organised crime, banditry and violent community conflicts. Since 2012, the climate of insecurity and violence has further deteriorated due to the cross-border operations of armed groups, the increase in community clashes and the rise of violent extremism.

This region ranking among the lowest in the world on the human development index, its population is particulalry exposed to intersecting vulnerabilities: a lack of economic opportunities, especially for young people, limited access to basic social services and the disastrous effects of climate change on food security.

A cross-border response for effective stabilisation

The “Three Borders” project aims to contribute to the stabilisation of the Liptako Gourma area by supporting its socio-economic development and ensuring greater social cohesion between communities in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It is co-financed by the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) and the Crisis and Support Center (CDCS) of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs with an overall budget of EUR 55.5 million for an estimated duration of 5 years (2019 – 2024).

The project is part of the Sahel Alliance’s response to the G5 Sahel Emergency Development Programme (Programme de Développement d’Urgence, PDU) – an initiative of the G5 Heads of State to launch quick-impact projects to stabilise the G5 Sahel border areas. In this context of diverse security threats, the project aims to improve access to quality basic social services and to strengthen the population’s’ resilience. In addition, the programme will have a strong impact on the mitigation of vulnerabilities through the reduction of social imbalances in the region, particularly in favour of young people and women, and the strengthening of social cohesion. It will also help to reduce disparities between territories in terms of social and economic development.

Restoring the legitimacy of the State and public authorities

By implementing these development and civil protection actions, the project strengthens the response capacities of the three affected States and helps to restore their legitimacy in the eyes of the population, thus strengthening the communities’ confidence in the State apparatus and the social link between the communities.

For more information, please download the project factsheet below containing all essential details.