Niger

The French president intends to make this counterterrorism mission a success

While positive economic growth beckons for several states, destabilising political divisions will fester

Migration to Europe through the Mediterranean is starting to slow, but the agreements holding this together are fragile

Jihadist groups are capitalising on ethnic disputes to recruit and gain local support

The migrations crisis has prompted Western states to focus on improving border control among West African states

Notwithstanding the human cost, Italian and EU policies to stem migration are working

But actual independence is difficult to accomplish

The deaths of US troops in an ambush in Niger could indicate greater US military engagement in Africa