The study on traditional justice in the Sahel, carried out in two phases (2020 and 2022), analyzes the articulation between customary and state justice systems for better access to justice. It highlights the growing support of populations, including young people, for traditional justice, in the face of mistrust of formal justice, often perceived as inaccessible or inequitable. The study is based on a comparative and multidisciplinary approach, with a particular focus on the rights of women and children. The results show that customary systems, although legitimate in the eyes of the populations, have limitations, particularly in the protection of human rights. The study proposes a hybrid model integrating customary, religious, and formal justice to improve access to justice. Finally, it recommends the transcription of customary rules and awareness-raising on human rights to strengthen their complementarity with formal justice.

Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Customs, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production

The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a statement titled "Humanitarian Emergency: Funding Shortfall Jeopardizes WFP Food Assistance for Millions in the Central Sahel and Nigeria" on March 7, 2025. The article emphasizes that, without urgent funding, WFP will be forced to suspend its essential food and nutrition assistance in critical regions such as the Central Sahel and Nigeria as early as April 2025. This comes as the lean season, a time when food insecurity is at its peak, approaches. This suspension will affect approximately 2 million people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, as well as internally displaced populations and vulnerable families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. To maintain its assistance over the next six months, WFP urgently requires $620 million. Margot van der Velden, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, expressed concern about the reduction in international aid, calling on the global community to step up its support to prevent a worsening of the food crisis in these regions.

Governance, Food security, Cooperation, Politique publique

The article “On the Unborn Fulani: Slavery, Jihad, and Human Rights in Central Mali,” written by Gilles Holder, analyzes the persistence of power relations and descent-based slavery in the hybrid conflict in central Mali since 2015. It highlights the link between 18th- and 19th-century Fulani jihads, the creation of Islamic states based on a slave economy, and contemporary dynamics of social and political revolt. The article emphasizes that the emancipation of slave descendants remains limited by secular logics of land and economic domination by former Fulani aristocracies. It also explores how current jihadist demands integrate social aspirations for emancipation. Finally, it questions the effectiveness of human rights instruments in addressing these deep-rooted inequalities.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Social, Threat

This article analyzes the security crisis in central Mali, considered the epicenter of the Sahel crisis. Historically marked by tensions over resources and intercommunity relations, this territory has seen these conflicts worsen with the retreat of the state and the establishment of jihadist groups, notably Amadou Koufa's Katiba Macina. The 2013 military intervention brought only a temporary respite, and since 2015, the jihadists have strengthened their control, capitalizing on the state's weakness and popular discontent. The debate over the advisability of dialogue between the Malian authorities and the jihadists is complex: while it could lead to a reduction in violence, it also risks legitimizing these groups and exacerbating intercommunity tensions. The article highlights the need to rebuild the state and social cohesion to prevent these groups from establishing themselves as a political and social alternative.

Security, Jihad, Dialogue

The article "Are Poverty Reduction Strategies and Agricultural Policies Engaging in West and Central Africa?" by Abdou Salam Fall and Thiendou Niang, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in June 2005, analyzes the links between poverty reduction strategies (PRSs) and agricultural policies in West and Central Africa. The study examines their coherence, implementation, and the effectiveness of their coordination. PRSs often include agriculture among their priorities, but without real integration with existing agricultural policies. Furthermore, civil society participation in decision-making processes remains limited, resulting in a lack of influence on strategic directions. The article also highlights that structural inequalities (land reform, market access, trade policies) are not sufficiently taken into account. Finally, it recommends better policy coordination, increased participation of local stakeholders, and improved resource management to ensure more effective results.

State, Economic Development, Inequality, Education, Development, Food security, Poverty, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The study “The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Chad: The Case of the Lac and Ouaddaï Provinces” examines the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in Chad. Despite the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) in January 2023, its implementation remains slow, particularly in the Lac and Ouaddaï provinces. The study highlights the role of women in local mediation, often limited to internal conflicts, while their participation in national peace negotiations is minimal. Gender-based violence remains a major problem, exacerbated by social norms and a lack of institutional coordination. Women’s organizations play a crucial role, but their efforts are fragmented. The study recommends strengthening local initiatives, improving coordination among stakeholders, and raising awareness to ensure the meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The study "The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Chad: The Case of the Lac and Ouaddaï Provinces" analyzes the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in Chad. Adopted in January 2023, the National Action Plan (NAP) is struggling to be implemented, particularly in the Lac and Ouaddaï provinces. The study highlights the role of women in local mediation, often limited to domestic conflicts, while their participation in national peace negotiations remains marginal. Gender-based violence remains a major issue, hampered by social norms and a lack of institutional coordination. Women's organizations play a key role, but their actions remain fragmented. The study recommends strengthening local initiatives, improving coordination between stakeholders, and raising awareness to truly integrate women into the peace process.

Gender, Security, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Customs, Threat

The Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin for the Northern Region of Côte d'Ivoire (October-November 2024) highlights several issues related to livestock and pastoralism in this border area with Burkina Faso. It reports a high concentration of livestock, sufficient pasture availability, but also growing tensions between herders and farmers, exacerbated by the arrival of Burkinabe refugees with their livestock. Despite a drop in grain prices, the terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders, weakening their purchasing power. Insecurity and cattle theft persist, impacting regional stability. The report highlights recommendations to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, particularly through health prevention actions and better natural resource management.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh

This Policy Brief, written by Abdoul Sogodogo, analyzes the relationship between the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA) and ECOWAS. It highlights the tensions between these entities, emphasizing the perception of the ESA as a response to ECOWAS's perceived ineffectiveness in security matters. The author explores the history of subregional organizations and the motivations of Sahel states to create a specific alliance, particularly in the face of the terrorist threat. The document also discusses the security, diplomatic, and economic implications of this separation, while examining the prospects for collaboration. Although the exit of the ESA countries from ECOWAS seems inevitable, economic and security interdependence requires cooperation. The brief concludes that ECOWAS and the ESA must find collaborative mechanisms to ensure regional stability.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Gold, Human security, Cooperation