Who we are

WHO WE ARE

Sahel Politica is an expert in political and security risk and crisis management in West Africa. With over 17 years' experience, we help organizations navigate through the geopolitical complexities of the Sahel while protecting their people, assets and reputation.

Our services are designed to identify, anticipate and mitigate the risks that threaten field operations. We offer tailor-made solutions to ensure the safety, stability and resilience of projects in challenging environments.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to help humanitarian organizations and other development players anticipate and mitigate political and security risks in the Sahel. Thanks to our expertise, we enable our customers to focus on their social impact while securing their operations and teams in an unstable environment.

We work alongside our partners to develop effective resilience strategies, combining risk analysis, crisis management and operational support. Our training courses, audits and prevention plans are specially designed to enable each organization to react quickly and effectively to the geopolitical challenges of the region.

OUR VISION

We aspire to a future where organizations working for social change in Africa can operate without fear of political and security risks. We believe that by being well prepared, every player can ensure the sustainability of their projects, strengthen their reputation, and build trusting partnerships with local communities and authorities.

Our vision is to create a framework where organizations can focus fully on their humanitarian or development missions, without being paralyzed by uncertainty. By fostering an environment of collaboration with local stakeholders, we aim to transform risk into opportunity, enabling organizations to thrive even in the most volatile contexts.

OUR TEAM

A small team of experts passionate about safety and resilience in the Sahel.

Experienced risk management and security professionals, our team provides tailor-made solutions to strengthen the resilience of organizations operating in the Sahel.

Issaka Ouedraogo-Iseli

CEO and Founder

Sahel Risks and Strategy expert

Issaka Ouedraogo-Iseli

Issaka Ouedraogo, CEO, uses his in-depth expertise in African geopolitics and international affairs to guide companies and governments through the complexities of Sahelian risks. With a distinguished career in Swiss intelligence and legal advisory roles, he specializes in strategic foresight and resilience building for development and humanitarian programs. An accomplished researcher with dual nationality and multilingual skills, he is also a renowned speaker and lecturer at the Geneva Center for Security Policy.

Dr. Awalou Ouedraogo

Associated Consultant

African governance, peacebuilding & International relations expert

Dr. Awalou Ouedraogo

Awalou Ouedraogo is a professor of international law and Director of the Human Rights and Equity Department at York University, Toronto. He holds a PhD from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and has published extensively on international law. His latest book is Due Diligence in International Law (2021). His research covers international law, human rights, migration, and state-building in Africa. A Knight of the National Order of Burkina Faso since December 2021, he is active in several scholarly associations and has participated in numerous international conferences.

Dr. Abdourahmane Idrissa

Associated Consultant

African politics and Ideologies specialist

Dr. Abdourahmane Idrissa

Abdourahmane Idrissa is a political scientist and historian based at Leiden University’s Africa Studies Centre and LASDEL in Niamey. He has extensively researched the Sahel, authoring The Politics of Islam in the Sahel and numerous articles in English and French. His focus includes the “regalian” state, democratic governance, and political Islam. He is currently writing a monograph on the Sahel during the 16th century using the Songhay Empire as a case study, and his recent fieldwork addresses the security crisis in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.

ZOMBRE Gerard Jean Joris

Junior Consultant

Sahel Risks and Strategy

ZOMBRE Gerard Jean Joris

Gérard Jean Joris Zombre is a versatile consultant at Sahel Politica, where he excels in data engineering and analysis. With a strong academic background, he is currently pursuing a master's degree in international law, which testifies to his commitment to excellence and his willingness to contribute to complex issues on a global scale.

OUR CLIENTS

Geneva Center for Security Policy

The Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) is a leading think tank dedicated to peace and security issues globally. By collaborating with Sahel Politica, GCSP enhances its understanding of the complex geopolitical landscape in West Africa, supporting initiatives that strengthen regional stability and resilience against political and security risks.

UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. Partnering with Sahel Politica, UNDP leverages its expertise to navigate the challenging political environment in the Sahel, ensuring that development efforts are effectively aligned with the region's security needs.

CARITAS

Caritas is a global confederation focused on humanitarian aid and social development. By working with Sahel Politica, CARITAS gains insights into the geopolitical dynamics affecting its operations in the Sahel, allowing for more effective humanitarian responses and better risk management in complex environments.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aims to promote sustainable development and reduce poverty in developing countries. Collaborating with Sahel Politica enables SDC to assess political risks and enhance its programmatic strategies in West Africa, ensuring that its interventions are resilient and impactful.

International SOS

International SOS is a leader in health and security services for organizations operating in complex environments. By partnering with Sahel Politica, International SOS can better understand the regional risks affecting its clients in the Sahel, facilitating the development of tailored health and safety solutions that ensure the well-being of personnel and assets.