The united nations integrated strategy for the Sahel, u.n.i.s.s. has resulted in a cross border military presence, reportedly to deal with conflict and crime. An as called support plan for the area covers the period from 2018 to 2030 and was said to have been recalibrated to be aligned to 94% sustainable development goals.
In their report uniss recommends a mobilisation of public resources and private investment for what is described as a land of vast opportunity and one of the richest regions in the world in terms of abundant natural resources such as oil, natural gas, gold, phosphates, diamonds, copper, iron ore, bauxite and precious woods.
Two plans are a Trans Sahara highway, a transnational highway to run from west Africa to the Mediterranean Sea; and a Trans-Saharan gas pipeline from Nigeria to Algeria and european routes.
According to uniss, challenges that may affect the African vision for peace and prosperity are environment, political and security. Problems for local populations are vulnerability, unequal distribution of wealth and lack of access to resources.