Communications Channels in the Sahel Using Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad as a Case Study

This report focuses on communications methods that are currently effective in the Sahelian African countries of Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Chad. Attention is also given to methods of communication that have a high probability for success in the future based on economic and educational development, increased access to modern forms of communication, and advancements in technology. The four countries were selected for the case study with the intent that any findings could be extrapolated to other lesser developed regions in the world. Effective communication methods in less developed regions are important for humanitarian reasons during a crisis, countering propaganda disseminated by terrorist groups, and for furthering business and political interests around the world. The reports recommendations include alternatives for immediate, intermediate, and long-term implementation. Several recommendations focus on Muslim youth in particular due to the fact that Islam is the predominant religion in the four case countries and the median age of inhabitants ranges from 15.8 to 17 years.