Dr. Denis M. Tull
Areas of Expertise
- Sahel
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Civil wars
- Defence and security policy / Armed forces
- Political systems
Short Curriculum vitae
since 2022 Project Director of Megatrends Afrika
2017-2020 Research Fellow, Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM), Paris
2011-2015 Head of the research project »Local Arenas of Power Sharing«, sponsored by the DFG
since 2004 Researcher, Africa and Middle East Division
SWP Publications
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Lessons to Be Learned: Germany’s Crisis Management in Mali (2013–2023)
SWP Research Paper 2024/RP 18, 10.12.2024, 33 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024RP18
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French Perceptions of Turkey in Africa: A Potentially Problematic Player
There is a growing unease among policymakers in Paris that Turkey’s increased involvement in Africa—the so-called French “backyard”—may lead to conflicts with France in the areas of defence, economy and development. However, for the time being direct conflicts between Paris and Ankara—such as in Libya—remain the exception.
CATS Network Paper, No. 02, 09 April 2024, 28 Pages -
France’s Africa Policy under President Macron
Good Intentions, Partial Reform and the Fiasco in the Sahel
SWP Comment 2023/C 51, 28.09.2023, 6 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2023C51
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Operation Barkhane and the Future of Intervention in the Sahel
The Shape of Things to Come
SWP Comment 2021/C 05, 20.01.2021, 4 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2021C05
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German and International Crisis Management in the Sahel
Why Discussions about Sahel Policy Are Going around in Circles
SWP Comment 2020/C 27, 09.06.2020, 4 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2020C27
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UN Peacekeeping in Mali
Time to Adjust Minusma’s Mandate
SWP Comment 2019/C 23, 29.04.2019, 4 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2019C23
Publications of the Megatrends Afrika project
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The Myth of the Gamechanger: Drones and Military Power in Africa
Advanced combat drones are increasingly used in conflicts in Africa. This analysis of the conflicts in Mali, Chad and Sudan shows, their potential to shift the balance of military power between state forces and insurgents depends on symmetrical access to technology, type of warfare and topography.
Megatrends Policy Brief 33, 05.03.2025, 14 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2025MTA-PB33
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Where are Europe and Africa headed? Looking out to 2030
Europe is about to elect a new parliament. Relations with Africa barely played a role in the election campaigns, even though they are crucial for making progress in important policy areas such as climate change and the shortage of skilled labour in Europe. Our strategic foresight process highlights trends that will shape relations between the two continents in the near future. In this Megatrends Afrika Spotlight, Karoline Eickhoff and Denis M. Tull report on where the journey is headed.
Megatrends spotlight 31, 05.06.2024 -
Mapping the Future of Europe-Africa Relations
Exploring Europe-Africa relations for 2030, the Megatrends Afrika project analyzes emerging trends, including political instability in Europe and African contestation of Eurocentric policies. This strategic examination highlights underappreciated dynamics in politics, social issues, and beyond, offering policymakers insights into potential future developments.
Megatrends Working Paper 2024 13, 03.06.2024, 21 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP13
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The Russia-Ukraine War’s Shockwaves in Africa. A Zeitenwende for German Africa Policy?
Two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, this Working Paper examines repercussions in Africa and on German Africa policy, analysing to what extent they are in continuity with trends that preceded the war and to what extent they represent a break with past patterns. Has the Ukraine war turned out to be a sea change for Africa and German Africa policy, too?
Megatrends Working Paper 2024 10, 13.02.2024, 39 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP10
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Germany’s Africa Policy: Time for an Update
The German government wants to work more closely with African partners. How must it change its policy in order to accomplish this? What does it mean to “rethink” Germany’s Africa policy? In our blog series Joint Futures, we gather ideas from experts and discuss ways forward.
blog Joint Futures 01, 25.09.2023 -
UN Peacekeeping in Africa: The End of a Cycle?
The effectiveness of UN peacekeeping in Africa is increasingly being questioned and its legitimacy put to the test. Complex warfare, unrealistic mandates and geopolitical rivalries are hampering progress. Can the UN and AU pave the way for a new era of peacekeeping?
Megatrends Working Paper 2023 07, 14.08.2023, 13 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2023MTA-WP07
External publications
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Grey Rhino 2025: The Sahel
After a decade of persistent efforts at both bilateral and multilateral levels to tackle insecurity and political conflict in the Sahel region, how can Europe revitalize its approach for lasting solutions?
in: ISPI Commentary, 26.12.2024 (online) -
France and the Rest: Testing Alliances in Europe by Providing Security in the Sahel
in: Giovanni Carbone/Camillo Casola (eds.), Sahel: 10 Years of Instability - Local, Regional and International Dynamics, Mailand: Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), October 2022, pp. 101-116. -
Calling Time on the EU Mission to Mali
Conditions for a continued German involvement in the EU mission to Mali look poor. The UN mission, however, could become even more important.
in: Internationale Politik Quarterly, 09.05.2022 (online) -
Contesting France: Rumors, intervention and the politics of truth in Mali
in: Critique internationale, vol. 90, no. 1, 2021, pp. 151-171. -
The European Union training mission and the struggle for a new model army in Mali
in: Institut de recherche stratégique de l'École militaire (IRSEM), Paris, Research Paper No. 89 (February 2020) -
Rebuilding Mali's army: the dissonant relationship between Mali and its international partners
in: International Affairs, 95 (2019) 2, pp. 405 - 422