This panel, organized by Afrikajom Center in Dakar, brought together intellectuals, researchers, and civil society actors to examine the resurgence of military coups in West Africa. Discussions highlighted the failure of democratic transitions, the decline of the Baule model, widespread corruption, constitutional manipulation, and the perceived illegitimacy of ECOWAS. Speakers, including Gilles Yabi, Ndioro Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed the importance of military ethics, geopolitical shifts, and the weakening of rule of law and political representation. The debate underscored citizens’ growing support for military takeovers in contexts where civilian governments fail. Recommendations emphasized the need for endogenous reforms, strict term limits, strengthened democratic institutions, and the inclusion of civil society in regional governance frameworks. The event concluded with a call for bold, culturally rooted actions to address West Africa’s democratic and security crises.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Réforme, Coup d'État

This report presents the outcomes of a regional forum held in Dakar in November 2020, aimed at analyzing responses to violent extremism in the Sahel. It highlights the root causes of insecurity: poor governance, lack of basic services, social exclusion, and state-perpetrated violence. Four panels addressed the rule of law, institutional responses, human rights abuses, and peacebuilding. Recommendations emphasize the need for a holistic approach combining social justice, human security, and the active participation of women and youth. The report calls for institutional reform, acknowledgment of societal pluralism, and deeper community involvement in counter-radicalization efforts.

Governance, Security, Extremism, Human security, Violence, Radicalisation, Rule of law

Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has led to the mass displacement of civilians into eastern Chad. This report, published by SIPRI in partnership with BUCOFORE, is based on perception surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions held in four refugee camps. It explores the lived experiences of displaced Sudanese women and girls, who face significant barriers to accessing food, reproductive health services, water, sanitation, and safety. The report highlights the chronic underfunding of humanitarian responses and the lack of gender-sensitive aid, both of which heighten the risks of gender-based violence. It offers concrete recommendations to policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and donors to improve the protection and support provided to refugee women and girls.

Human Rights, Women, Violence, refugee, Déplacement forcé, Crise humanitaire

In this podcast, Pape Abdou Ndour discusses the length of presidential terms in Africa, responding to a question about the appropriateness of 4- or 5-year terms. He emphasizes that the issue lies not in the term length itself but in the lack of genuine democratic practices, despite constitutions that proclaim democratic principles. Ndour critiques narratives that blame democracy's failure on its supposedly imported nature, noting that countries like Guinea have only experienced authoritarian regimes since independence. He asserts that principles of accountability and human rights are not exclusively Western. Rather than debating democracy's origins, he advocates focusing on necessary institutional reforms to establish a true democracy tailored to African contexts.

Governance, Election, Presidential term limits, Accountability

The Afrikajom Center colloquium, held in Dakar from March 8–10, 2023, gathered experts, researchers, and political actors to reflect on the multifaceted crisis facing democracy in West Africa. Discussions highlighted growing authoritarianism (e.g., third terms, state capture, rollback of freedoms), weak institutions, corruption, and the exclusion of youth and women. Participants called for a democratic renewal rooted in African contexts: checks on presidential power, independent judiciary, civic participation, inclusive governance, constitutional reform, and strengthened accountability. The event emphasized the need to rethink governance amid security instability, military transitions, and institutional inefficiency. It advocated for rebuilding a generational social contract and supporting the rise of a more participatory, context-responsive African democracy fit for 21st-century challenges.

Governance, Democracy, Transition, Rule of law

This report provides a critical assessment of the state of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and governance in West Africa. It highlights three interlinked crises: security, institutional, and health-related. Despite the presence of political pluralism, the region is witnessing growing authoritarianism, the persistence of third-term presidencies, and the erosion of institutions. Dysfunctional regulatory mechanisms are fueling political unrest, violations of fundamental rights, and contested elections. Based on country-level analyses, the report recommends strengthening the role of regional organizations, civil society, and African democratic norms. The aim is to alert decision-makers and social actors to the urgent need to rebuild a substantive and inclusive democracy in the face of current threats.

Governance, Democracy, Human Rights

The article explores the shortcomings of electoral democracy in Africa, often limited to formal processes with little impact on citizens' lives. It advocates for substantive democracy, focused on human dignity, reducing inequalities, and ensuring effective participation. The author highlights that post-electoral crises and armed conflicts, termed "new wars," weaken institutions and hinder democratic consolidation. He calls for rethinking the political contract by integrating inclusive policies and strengthening societal resilience against security challenges.

Governance, Inequality, Conflict, Democracy

The policy paper "Social Norms and Girls' Education" by the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI) examines the impact of social norms on girls' education in eight sub-Saharan African countries. The study identifies four major social norms hindering girls' education: child marriage, the low perceived value of girls' education, gender-based violence in schools, and domestic labor. These norms, reinforced by economic and sociocultural factors, limit girls' access to, participation in, and success at school. The report recommends transformative approaches, such as integrating gender equality into educational policies, community mobilization, and involving local leaders to change harmful social norms. It emphasizes the importance of gender-sensitive education to promote equality and empower girls.

Culture, Governance, Gender, Education, Inclusion, Equality

The article explores the link between natural resource exploitation and conflicts in Africa, highlighting that reliance on these resources has often led to armed violence and social inequalities. It advocates for a shift towards governance centered on intangible capital, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, innovation, and social justice. The author suggests that sustainable development in Africa should be based on empowering individuals through education and valuing indigenous knowledge, thereby reducing dependence on natural resources and promoting substantive democracy.

Governance, Natural ressources, Democracy, Social