Since the outbreak of conflict in Mali in 2012, the conflict picture in the Sahel region has become increasingly complex. Violence has escalated with more violence by violent non-state actors, more violent attacks and a sharp increase in the number of deaths in conflict-related events. Furthermore, the violence has spread from Mali to Niger and Burkina Faso. This report analyses a selection of underlying explanations for the conflict in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The analysis of this report indicates that poverty, economic inequality, climate change, illegal flows of weapons and drugs, as well as a lack of political legitimacy contribute to economic and political vulnerabilities, which contribute to increased conflict risk in the three countries. Despite economic development at the macro level, the proportion of the poor is still significant. Poverty in combination with climate change renders populations vulnerable to the influence of violent non-state actors. Smuggling of weapons and drugs through the region contributes to instability. Weak institutional capacity and low political legitimacy for the national political elites, particularly in Mali and in Niger, contributes to a situation that violent non-state actors could exploit.