UPSC Prelims 2024 Q91: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
- (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
- (b) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct, but Statement - II does not explain Statement - I
- (c) Statement - I is correct, but Statement - II is incorrect
- (d) Statement - I is incorrect, but Statement - II is correct
Answer: (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I
Explanation
Sahel Region - Instability and Military Coups
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region | TRUE | The Sahel has been severely destabilized by terrorism (Al-Qaeda, ISIS affiliates), ethnic conflicts, military coups, food insecurity, and humanitarian crises. The security situation has worsened dramatically since 2020. |
| II | There have been military takeovers/coups in several Sahel countries in recent past | TRUE | Multiple coups in the Sahel (2020-2023): Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Sudan (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Niger (2023), Gabon (2023). The Sahel has seen more coups than any other region in recent years. |
Does Statement II explain Statement I?
YES - the military coups (Statement II) have directly contributed to the instability and worsening security situation (Statement I). Political instability from coups undermines governance, enables terrorist groups, and creates humanitarian crises.
Sahel Region Countries: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Nigeria (northern), Mauritania, Senegal (partially)
Answer: (a) Both Statement - I and Statement - II are correct and Statement - II explains Statement - I.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Both statements are correct and Statement II explains Statement I. The military coups across Sahel countries have caused/worsened the instability and security deterioration described in Statement I.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement II does explain Statement I - the coups are a primary cause of the instability. When elected governments are overthrown, security forces fragment, governance breaks down, and terrorist groups exploit the vacuum.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement II is correct - Mali (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Niger (2023), Guinea (2021) all had coups. The Sahel coup wave is well-documented.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement I is correct - the Sahel region has experienced worsening security with expanding Islamist insurgencies (Al-Qaeda, ISIS affiliates) and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Key point
Sahel region = multiple military coups (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Sudan 2020-2023) causing/worsening instability. Statement II (coups) explains Statement I (instability). France withdrew military forces from Sahel after coups.
Remember
The Sahel region has experienced severe instability, directly caused by multiple military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea in 2020-2023. Statement II (coups) explains Statement I (instability).
Common mistakes
- Not knowing the extent of the Sahel coup wave - Mali had two coups (2020, 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), Niger (2023), Guinea (2021), Chad (2021) - making the Sahel a global hotspot for military takeovers.
- Thinking coups and instability are independent - in the Sahel, coups are both a symptom and cause of instability, creating a vicious cycle.
- Not knowing that France (former colonial power) withdrew its military forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after the post-coup governments demanded French withdrawal.
Exam tip
Sahel = West Africa's semi-arid belt = coup belt 2020-2023. Countries affected: Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan, Chad. Islamist groups (JNIM, ISGS) exploit power vacuums after coups. France's Operation Barkhane ended after countries asked French forces to leave.
Sources
- ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project) - Sahel Security Reports
- UN Security Council - Sahel Crisis Reports