As key players in contemporary conflicts, many armed non-state actors provide services to civilians in order to win legitimacy in their areas of control. Sometimes the civilian population comes to rely on them rather than the state for services. A more nuanced approach to engaging with armed groups is therefore vital in order to resolve conflicts.
Without a stable Libya to strike migration deals with, EU is looking further south, to Niger, as a way of cutting off the trans-Saharan migration routes. However, the question is whether the EU is exchanging short-term gains for long-term stability?