Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the national army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemetti). While Sudanese women are often portrayed solely as victims—especially of sexual violence systematically used as a weapon of war—the article advocates for a broader acknowledgment of their multifaceted roles. Many women have taken up arms or become activists advocating for justice and peace. The dominant narrative that confines them to victimhood silences their agency and reinforces their political marginalization. Yet, their participation in rebuilding Sudan is critical. The article calls for a deconstruction of reductive gendered perceptions in conflict to ensure women’s inclusion in peacebuilding and governance.

Politics, Governance, Conflict, Women, Violence, Discrimination, Marginalisation, Food insecurity

In this interview published by WATHI, Cameroonian lawyer and executive director of Internet Sans Frontières, Julie Owono, discusses the phenomenon of "infodemic" in Africa, marked by the rapid spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms. She emphasizes that while these platforms mirror existing societal dysfunctions, their technical capabilities significantly amplify negative impacts by enabling instant, widespread dissemination of information. Owono highlights the legal gaps in many African countries regarding the regulation of social media and stresses the importance of enhancing digital sovereignty. She advocates for the positive use of social networks to promote constructive values and support communities. Finally, she calls for a balanced approach that combines regulation with the preservation of fundamental freedoms in cyberspace.

Sovereignty, Governance, Numérique, Réseaux sociaux, Infodemic

In this interview, Mouhammad Ciss, a digital communication trainer and program assistant for open local governance at AfricTivistes, emphasizes the need to establish a new relationship between citizens and administrations to strengthen democracy. He highlights the role of social media in raising awareness and mobilizing communities, particularly through tools like hashtags. Ciss discusses the Local Open Gov Lab project, which aims to integrate digital technologies into local governments in African countries such as Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Niger. This initiative seeks to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen participation by training young volunteers in open local governance. He also stresses the importance of developing African social networks tailored to local needs, focusing on user experience and collaboration among developers and designers to create effective and relevant platforms.

Governance, Democracy, Public Administration, Numérique, Réseaux sociaux, Transparency

This ACF monitoring bulletin presents the progress of 56 micro-enterprises supported in Bassikounou, Mauritania, under a UNHCR-funded project. Despite a fragile economic context, some positive trends are observed: improved debt repayment (88%), increased use of personal savings, and emerging financial diversification. Agriculture, livestock, and general trade prove most profitable, while solar energy remains the most vulnerable sector. However, major challenges persist: reliance on humanitarian aid, limited access to formal financing, poor business structuring, rising input costs, and client indebtedness. ACF recommends reinforced support (training, management tools, formalization, access to credit) to ensure long-term sustainability. The strong involvement of women and the growing use of community-based solutions (tontines, AVECs) are encouraging signs of economic resilience and adaptation.

Agriculture, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding

This article investigates the compounded vulnerabilities faced by deaf people in Burkina Faso, particularly in relation to health, education, and economic survival. Due to lack of adapted information and communication, especially on sexual health, deaf individuals—especially women are disproportionately exposed to risks such as unprotected sex, sexual violence, and clandestine abortions. The study draws on qualitative fieldwork conducted between 2014 and 2017, highlighting how many deaf individuals become involved in exploitative transnational begging networks. The research advocates for inclusive public policies that integrate sign language into education and healthcare systems, and stresses the urgent need to recognize the specific challenges faced by deaf people in West Africa. The article reveals the intersection of disability, gender, and poverty in shaping access to rights and services.

Gender, Security, Social, Health, Discrimination, Marginalisation, Santé sexuelle, Disability

The Mali Lean Season Note 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF) highlights worsening food and nutritional vulnerabilities due to conflict, climate shocks, and displaced populations. In 2025, over 1.5 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity, worsened by cuts in humanitarian funding (notably from USAID and UNICEF). The closure of over 400 school canteens threatens child nutrition and education. ACF documents positive impacts of its interventions (reaching 234,000 individuals), including improved food consumption, dietary diversity, and reduced negative coping strategies. However, persistent insecurity hinders humanitarian access and disrupts health services, especially in northern regions. ACF advocates for an integrated and community-centered response grounded in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It emphasizes the need to strengthen local systems, involve civil society in planning, and ensure coordinated advocacy to secure sustainable financing and equitable assistance delivery.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Family, Food security, Gold, Human security, Social, Health, Insécurité, Malnutrition, Crise humanitaire

Food insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel stems from structural issues aggravated by conflict, political instability, climate shocks, and underinvestment in agriculture. In 2023, an estimated 86.5 million people face food insecurity, despite a regional cereal output of 76 million tons. A healthy diet remains unaffordable for most due to high food prices and poor dietary diversity. Current responses—such as PREGEC, the Harmonized Framework, school feeding programs, and cash transfers—are commendable but inadequate in scope. Efforts are needed to modernize agriculture, improve infrastructure, enhance regional cooperation, and diversify funding sources. Market dynamics, low use of improved inputs, and heavy reliance on imports hinder food sovereignty. The report advocates for systemic, integrated governance, support to local producers, and more resilient agricultural systems to ensure nutrition security and sustainable development.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh

This Policy Brief analyzes how population displacements have accelerated urbanization in secondary cities across the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These cities, already marked by infrastructural shortcomings, face mounting pressure on housing, land use, and basic services. The massive influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reshapes social dynamics, especially gender roles, with displaced women often becoming heads of households under precarious conditions. “Non-loti” areas—informal settlements—emerge as default reception zones despite lacking infrastructure. Displaced populations are sometimes viewed with suspicion and associated with security threats. The study urges moving beyond institutional categories and quantitative data, advocating for deeper exploration of “practical norms” that govern urban life. It calls for empirical research to guide inclusive urban planning and better integration of displaced communities in fragile Sahelian contexts.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Threat, Urbanisation, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Internally displaced persons

This study, conducted by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the evolution of the jihadist threat in northern Ghana and Togo. It highlights the expansion of terrorist groups towards the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, facilitated by the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali. The study examines the varying levels of threat in these West African countries and emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental approaches to counter jihadist terrorism. It is based on field research conducted by local teams and Promediation consultants in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Cooperation, International cooperation