The food crisis in the Sahel, exacerbated by armed conflict, threatens more than 10.5 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mauritania. The lean season between harvests is particularly critical, as food stocks are at their lowest. Violence is forcing people to flee, leading them to cultivate their land, reducing agricultural production. For example, in the Liptako-Gourma region of Mali, 80% of arable land has been lost in more than 100 villages. In Burkina Faso, provinces such as Yatenga and Loroum have recorded yield losses of up to 90%. The ICRC is calling for development actors, governments and humanitarian organizations to work together to find innovative solutions to strengthen existing systems and help people end their dependence on humanitarian aid.

Conflict, Crisis management, Food security, Crise alimentaire

The article "Is the Sahel Crisis an Agrarian Crisis?" examines the underlying causes of instability in the Sahel region, characterized by a series of coups d'état and deteriorating diplomatic relations, notably with France. It emphasizes that in countries where the majority of the population is rural and dependent on agriculture, political and security crises are closely linked to agrarian issues. Challenges such as soil degradation, climate change, population growth, and land conflicts exacerbate social and economic tensions. These factors contribute to the emergence of violence and political instability. The article suggests that to understand and resolve the Sahel crisis, it is essential to address agrarian issues and support rural development.

Governance, Agriculture, Climate change, Food security, Insécurité

The report focuses on Mauritania's Strategic Plan (DSP) 2019-2023, which aims to eradicate hunger and build resilience to crises. It highlights efforts to align the plan with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. The World Food Program (WFP) has provided assistance to 1.2 million people, including during the pandemic and droughts, while integrating activities focused on social protection and resilience. Despite the progress observed, challenges remain: lack of flexible funding, insufficient coordination and limited inclusion of cross-cutting issues such as gender equality.

Governance, Agriculture, Economic Development, Livestock, Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Food security, Human security, Social

This study explores the development of artisanal gold mining in the G5 Sahel countries and Senegal from 2012 to 2023, examining links to insecurity, regulation, and socio-environmental dynamics. While some reports suggest jihadist groups might finance themselves through gold mining, the study finds no conclusive evidence. It calls for more research on armed groups, gold trade circuits, public health issues, environmental impacts, and child labor. The report emphasizes the lack of coherent regional regulations and the highly localized nature of existing studies. Through both thematic and country-level syntheses, it highlights the need for context-sensitive approaches to better grasp the complex interplay of actors, practices, and governance surrounding artisanal mining.

Environment, Natural ressources, Development, Gold

The study “Civil Societies in the Sahel: A Reasoned Mapping” analyzes collective organizational forms across Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. It highlights the diversity of civil society ecosystems rooted in postcolonial histories. These actors go beyond their technical role to challenge state governance and advocate for human rights and social services. The study calls on AFD to revise its support strategy for civil society organizations (CSOs) by emphasizing deeper contextual knowledge, social proximity, funding sustainability, and balanced accountability. It recommends more flexible and long-term funding, grounded in economic and social rights, to strengthen locally rooted capacities in a region facing multiple overlapping crises.

Politics, Social, Medias, Civil Society

This NATO StratCom COE report investigates the information environment in political and security crisis contexts in the Sahel Region, focusing mainly on Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, with relevance to Mauritania and Chad.Foreign information influence—particularly from China, France, and Russia—shapes narratives. Journalists face challenges related to financing, press freedom, and disinformation . The report recommends mapping media landscapes, enhancing monitoring of information campaigns, strengthening journalistic capacities, supporting independent local media, and promoting source transparency. These steps aim to provide reliable information during crises, counter manipulation, and support informed policymaking.

Security, Influence, Diplomacy, Infowar