In the Sahel region of West Africa, which is quickly turning into the world's biggest humanitarian crisis, deeply rooted economic inequality, not religious beliefs, are driving the surge of violence, according to a new report just released by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The study, entitled "Steps Towards Peace,"  examined the root causes and impacts of the spiraling conflict across three countries - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger - and found that insufficient and inequitable access to wealth, livelihoods and natural resources are the driving forces behind the deterioration of the social fabric and surge in violent conflict.

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