With more than 100 staff around the world, CIVIC is powered by people who bring insight, creativity, and deep care to their work every day.
Through this spotlight series, we’re sharing profiles of colleagues from across the organization. These snapshots are a small way to recognize the talent, humor, and determination that drive our mission forward, as well as to offer a glimpse of the people shaping how we protect civilians in conflict.
By Nadia Adam
The Sahel is often portrayed through headlines of political turmoil and instability. Behind the news of coups and insurgencies are communities facing violence, displacement, and the relentless impact of climate change. Their stories are rarely told.
During one of my field visits with the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), I had the privilege of speaking with a local man who shared the profound difficulties his community was facing. He spoke of the pervasive violence that had uprooted their lives, from the constant threat of extortion rackets and killings to the fear of kidnappings. The community’s very sense of security had been shattered, with homes and granaries being burned to the ground. When we finished the interview, he remarked, “This is the first time someone has come to listen to what we’re going through. It feels liberating.”
This conversation highlighted how in a world where policies are shaped from distant boardrooms, a simple act of being heard can provide immense relief. My field research became not just about gathering data, but also about affirming to these communities that their experiences matter.
The resilience of Sahelian communities is truly inspiring. After enduring conflict for so long, these communities have developed their own mechanisms for survival. They have established committees to facilitate dialogue and advocate for support and protection from authorities. However, resilience alone is not enough. The international community needs to increase its efforts to support these local initiatives. We need to move beyond short-term fixes and invest in long-term solutions that address the underlying drivers of instability.
The traditional approach to humanitarian aid, while essential, is often reactive, like placing a bandage on a wound that requires surgery. But what if we could shift our focus towards prevention? What if we could tackle the root causes of insecurity before they manifest as violence and displacement?
The answer lies in addressing the fundamental causes of instability: inequality, political unrest and lack of access to resources. In the Sahel, civilian harm during military operations remains a significant concern. Effective civilian harm mitigation requires a shift toward more targeted military actions that prioritize civilians’ concerns, experiences and presence. This means adopting strategies that minimize indiscriminate use of force, enhancing training for troops on the protection of civilians, civilian harm mitigation, and improving coordination with humanitarian organizations. Civilian harm mitigation helps address the root causes of violence by building trust between local communities and security forces. When military operations prioritize minimizing civilian harm, it reduces resentment and grievances that often fuel further conflict. This approach fosters a sense of protection rather than fear, which is essential for long-term stability.
CIVIC supports communities by empowering them to advocate for their own protection. Through our engagement initiatives, we help local populations build the knowledge and skills needed to communicate their concerns and needs effectively to national authorities and security forces. By strengthening their capacity to advocate for their rights, we ensure that civilians are not passive recipients of aid but active participants in shaping their own security.
At CIVIC, we strive to support those affected by violence. In my role as a researcher, I oversee research initiatives, analyze data, and work closely with local teams to ensure that our programs are responsive to community needs and our broader goals as an organization. Our research is also aligned with the priorities and strategies of national authorities. By ensuring our work is in harmony with these strategies, we foster buy-in and encourage ownership of the results, ultimately promoting more sustainable and locally-led solutions for protecting civilians in the region. Our work, including assessing perceptions of protection efforts, helps identify gaps and opportunities to improve civilian harm mitigation strategies.
The challenges in the Sahel are complex, but with strategic and coordinated action, they are not insurmountable. Prevention, local empowerment, and sustainable development are critical to breaking the cycle of violence, displacement, and vulnerability to climate change. By rethinking how we approach these issues, we can work toward a more stable and prosperous Sahel.
Nadia Adam is a Regional Analysis Manager based in Bamako, Mali
