Security threats in the Sahel require a response that is not only military but also political and humanitarian, addressing a wide range of development issues in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. From peace-building and the provision of essential services to promoting gender equality, AFD has done a lot of work via the Sahel Alliance, which will hold its General Assembly on April 4 in Madrid. It’s a chance to assess the multifaceted, ambitious initiative aimed at shoring up peace and development in the region.