Multilateralism in the Face of Contemporary Challenges: Responses of International Organizations to Global Crises

Abstract

Multilateralism in the Face of Contemporary Challenges: International Organizations' Responses to Global Crises is the title of the article we are presenting in this doctoral seminar. The context of this study lies in the need to explore the effectiveness of multilateral responses to global crises through the formation of new strategic alliances, such as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which was established on September 16, 2023, in the Liptako-Gourma region and brings together Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Contemporary challenges (terrorism and cross-border crime, climate change, migration issues, pandemics, etc.) have a major impact on multilateralism, calling into question the ability of international organizations to address them. In the field of collective security, linked to multilateralism, strategic alliances play a crucial role in addressing major contemporary security challenges, deterring and eliminating potential threats while achieving lasting peace and security within the allied states.

This research aims to analyze the relevance, issues, challenges, and opportunities of the creation of the Strategic Alliance (AES), a multilateral framework for cooperation in the Liptako Gourma region, with the backdrop of respecting their national sovereignty and defending their national interests. It aims to position itself as a new geopolitical reality following the withdrawal of these three countries from the G5 Sahel, ECOWAS, and the OIF.

The qualitative methodology of this study is based on an in-depth review of existing literature on the issue of multilateralism and strategic alliances in relation to collective security, followed by a specific case study: the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The results obtained clearly show that the increasing complexity of contemporary challenges reinforces the relevance of the existence of multilateralism and in particular the formation of strategic alliances. Indeed, strategic alliances strengthen multilateralism by creating solid coalitions and promoting regional cooperation while respecting the sovereignty of States and defending their national interests, even if they limit the autonomy of States, particularly in matters of foreign and security policy.