Cattle, Violence, and War Economy: A Value-Chain Analysis in the Sahel Region

This study analyses the transformation of cattle theft into a financing strategy for non-state armed groups operating in the Sahel. Using Michael Porter’s value-chain framework, it breaks down the stages, actors, and financial flows of this illicit economy in the Gao region. The research draws on 20 semi-structured interviews with herders, traders, and local stakeholders conducted between May and June 2025. The findings show that cattle rustling revolves around five main activities: procurement, transformation, distribution, sale, and financing. These are supported by four activities that strengthen the economy’s durability: organizational structure, human resource management, communication technology, and purchased complicity.