Independent research institute — Sahel · Lake Chad · Sahara · Red Sea
Institute for Saharan Margins

Understanding power from its margins

An independent research centre on political regimes, regional security and the political economy of resources across the Sahelo-Saharan margins — from the Sahel to the Lake Chad basin, from the Sahara to the Red Sea.

Our publications Support the Institute
7
Research areas
4
Regional blocs
14
Countries covered
2026
Founded
Policy brief

The Saharan quadrangle on the edge of rupture

Libya, Chad, Sudan, CAR: the diagnosis, the four figures that matter and the options for action, in a five-minute read.

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Our mission

An independent think tank on the Saharan margins

Founded in 2026, the Institute for Saharan Margins (IMS) is an independent think tank. Its work covers models of governance, local conflict-resolution mechanisms, migration dynamics, the uptake of new technologies, the future of agro-pastoral systems under globalisation, environmental and climate issues, regional security and the political economy of resources, with particular attention to the climate-peace-security nexus.

A public-interest organisation, IMS produces strategic studies and foresight analysis across four regional blocs: the Sahel, the Lake Chad basin, the Sahara and the Red Sea. It informs the public, and trains and advises public and private actors in business, institutional and diplomatic circles.

Committed to intellectual independence and analytical rigour, the Institute works with universities, strategic research centres, public decision-makers and international institutions, to inform, raise awareness of and anticipate the geopolitical, economic, climate and environmental challenges of the Saharan margins.

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Research areas

Seven research areas

A broad thematic remit over a deliberately narrow geographical area.

Publications

In preparation for launch

All publications
Analysis

On breaking developments in the region

All analysis pieces
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