The article "From Oblivion to Recognition: 80 Years of Silence on the Thiaroye Massacre in Senegal" by Iris Sanner, published on January 17, 2025, by WATHI, discusses the belated acknowledgment of the Thiaroye massacre by Senegalese and French authorities. On December 1, 1944, Senegalese riflemen, returning from World War II, were killed by the French colonial army as they demanded payment of their wages. For decades, the official French narrative described it as the suppression of an armed mutiny, while survivors and many intellectuals denounced it as a colonial massacre. Only after 80 years did both countries officially recognize these events as a massacre, a change influenced by the rise of sovereigntist and anti-French sentiments in West Africa. This development aligns with France's recent memorial policies under President Emmanuel Macron, including the restitution of looted cultural artifacts and the establishment of historical commissions on sensitive colonial-related topics.

Governance, Memory policies

The article "Tramadol, medicine and drug for the poor in West Africa and the Sahel", written by Antonin Tisseron and published on October 12, 2017 by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), analyzes the rise of consumption of Tramadol in West Africa and the Sahel. Initially an opioid painkiller, it became a commonly taken drug due to its low cost and stimulating effects. Imported mainly from India and China, it is often sold in counterfeit form in doses well above pharmaceutical standards. This consumption has spread in various circles, notably among young people, manual workers and fighters of armed groups such as Boko Haram. The article highlights the health risks (dependence, convulsions, psychological disorders) as well as security issues. He calls for better regulation and awareness campaigns to limit the harmful effects of this substance.

Power, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Social, Soicial sciences, Illegal activity, Médicament

The article “After the Sahelian failure, rethinking the software of French policy in Africa” by Alain Antil and Thierry Vircoulon, published on April 10, 2024 by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), analyzes the failure of French strategy in the Sahel and its broader repercussions on Paris' African policy. After the breakdown of relations with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, France saw its influence collapse in the face of the rise of anti-French sentiment and the emergence of new partners such as Russia and China. The article identifies several contradictions in French policy: paternalism, the disconnection between analysis and political action, and the contradiction between migration policy and African diplomacy. It proposes a strategic repositioning, based on a realistic assessment of French interests in Africa, abandoning outdated approaches and integrating the new geopolitical realities of the continent.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Jihad, Gold, Human security, Threat

The article entitled “Arab-Islamic education for women: a diversity of offers and family strategies in Senegal”, written by Mame Fatou Séne and published in the journal Autrepart in 2018, analyzes the evolution of education Arab-Islamic for girls in Senegal. Since the 2000s, this form of education has experienced notable growth, with a proliferation of schools and a diversification of educational offerings. Senegalese families adopt various strategies to integrate their daughters into these institutions, seeking to reconcile religious education and socio-economic aspirations. The study highlights the motivations of families, the educational paths of girls and the challenges they face, particularly in terms of persistent gender inequalities. It also highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics to develop inclusive educational policies adapted to the needs of girls.

Inequality, Gender, Religious education, Education, Family

The article explores the growing place of girls in Arab-Islamic education in Senegal and its impact on gender relations. Historically, this education system was dominated by boys, but since the 1990s, private and public initiatives have allowed for greater female inclusion. Arab-Islamic education is seen as a tool for social moralization and protection against negative influences. However, it also conveys rigid gender norms, with an emphasis on the training of girls as future wives and mothers. Despite these constraints, young girls invest in this educational space to achieve skills, strengthen their autonomy and sometimes even compete with men in religious and educational roles. Education thus becomes a space for negotiation between tradition and modernity, between control and female emancipation.

Politics, Political party, Power, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Religious education, Education, Family, Gold, Social

The article "Climate change and human migration in Senegal: an approach in terms of vulnerability of the socio-ecological system", produced by Alassane Diallo and published in the journal Régulation in 2019, examines the impact of climate change on internal migration in the Senegal. The study reveals that climate change, especially when it manifests itself gradually, is generally not a direct cause of human migrations. It interacts with various socio-economic, cultural, demographic, political-institutional and environmental contextual factors, thus exacerbating the initial vulnerability of populations and influencing migratory processes. The author suggests that public policies should address both development issues, by tackling poverty and inequalities, and issues linked to the climate economy, in particular the physical and climatic vulnerability of populations through mitigation and adaptation measures.

Governance, Climate change, Vulnerability

This working paper examines the initiative of the three Sahel Alliance countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) to exit the CFA franc zone and establish a common currency. Although politically motivated, this initiative presents major economic risks, including inflation, currency devaluation, and a shortage of foreign exchange reserves. It highlights the potential short-term gains in competitiveness from devaluation, but acknowledges that structural transformations are unlikely. The article also examines the limited economic impact on regional partners such as ECOWAS and UEMOA, the potential disruption of migrant remittances, financial relations, and the minor economic effect on France.

Politics, Political party, Power, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Development, Gold, Aid

This article addresses the challenges of Education in Emergency Situations (EiE) in the Sahel, a region plagued by security, climate, and economic crises. It offers five operational recommendations to enhance the educational response, including investments in coordination, data collection, decentralized education funding, and community mobilization. The study highlights the need for tailored educational alternatives and more effective financing mechanisms to address current shortcomings. The authors emphasize the importance of an inclusive and sustainable approach to ensure educational continuity in the face of chronic crises.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Family, Gold, Vulnerability, Threat, Crisis

The article titled "Il faut revoir le programme scolaire pour y intégrer l’histoire du Sénégal…" is an interview with Mamadou Souleymane Sy, a professor of Letters and History – Geography at the Lycée de Kassack, Saint Louis, Senegal. Published on December 20, 2024, by WATHI, the article highlights Mr. Sy's career, who has taught French, history, and geography at the Kassack Nord high school, after seven years of teaching at the elementary level in Dagana, in northern Senegal. Holder of a Master's degree in Geography from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, he subsequently passed the recruitment competition for elementary education. The article emphasizes the importance of revising the school curriculum to integrate the history of Senegal, in order to strengthen national identity and understanding of cultural heritage among students.

Governance, Education