The Sahel Region has turned into an uncontrollable area, vulnerable not only to Islamists, but also to extortion as well as the drug trade and human trafficking. As diplomatic initiatives have not succeeded in resolving the conflict to date, the West African ECOWAS has now petitioned the UN Security Council for a mandate for an intervention in Mali. A positive decision is expected in the near future. Those who think that they can rely purely on political negotiations must answer the question as to who would be the negotiating partner in this scenario.