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 The gender quota as a government technique in Burkina Faso: between change of instruments and political inertia, written by Abdoul K. Saidou and published in Afrique Contemporaine (n°275, 2023/1), analyzes the application and the limits of the gender quota policy in Burkina Faso. Despite the adoption in 2009 of a law imposing a quota of 30% of female candidates in municipal and legislative elections, its impact has remained limited. The article highlights the political resistance and circumvention strategies put in place by the parties, in particular the effect of these quotas. The 2020 reform, which introduced new incentive instruments (such as a financial bonus for parties respecting quotas), did not allow for significant representation of women. The author thus underlines the political inertia and the systemic obstacles which slow down the effective application of this policy.

Politics, Political party, State, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Mediation, Election, 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

The article entitled "Contemporary Gold Rush in the Sahara: Informal Gold Mining in Northern Niger", written by Abdoulkader Afane and Laurent Gagnol, analyzes the spectacular rise of informal gold mining in northern Niger since 2014, following the unexpected discovery of nuggets in this Saharan region. This gold rush has attracted tens of thousands of people, local and foreign, nomadic processors, rural and urban gold miners. Initially artisanal, mining has become increasingly mechanized, even industrial, while remaining largely informal and tolerated by the State. The authors identify three phases in this rush: the initial frantic race, stabilization around the veins and a trend towards the formalization of gold mining. They also highlight the social, economic, political, environmental and health issues associated with this phenomenon, comparing it to certain historical gold rushes, such as that of California in the mid-19th century.

Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Gold

The article “Security from Below: Citizen Perceptions and Perspectives on Security Challenges in Burkina Faso”, authored by Sylvie Ayimpam, examines citizens' perceptions of insecurity in Burkina Faso. Instead of focusing on institutional approaches, the article highlights local experiences in rural and urban communities. The fall of Blaise Compaoré’s regime marked the beginning of greater instability, including terrorism, economic violence, and widespread banditry. Citizen initiatives, such as self-defense groups, have emerged as a response to the perceived ineffectiveness of security forces. Women also play an active role despite being particularly vulnerable. The article underscores the resilience of communities in the face of multiple crises while critiquing the lack of a robust conceptual framework to analyze insecurity.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Insécurité

This article analyzes the historical, political, and economic evolution of borders in the Saharo-Sahelian region, shaped by colonization, Tuareg rebellions, border disputes, and illegal flows. Borders, often arbitrary and poorly controlled, have become sites of rents for local and international actors. In pre-colonial times, this region was a transit area without barriers. Colonization imposed rigid borders, disrupting local dynamics. Today, trafficking (drugs, weapons, migrants) thrives, making borders porous and uncontrollable. Jihadist movements also redefine borders through their advances and retreats. The author emphasizes that Saharo-Sahelian borders remain economic, political, and geostrategic tools while symbolizing regional instability.

Politics, Political party, State, Boundary, Natural ressources, Jihad, Terrorism, Education, Gold, Illegal activity

This article examines the intersection of jihadi governance and gender practices in the Sahel. It explores how jihadist groups, affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, manipulate gender relations to gain local support. By blending continuity and disruption with traditional social practices, these groups leverage gender roles in Fulani communities in the Liptako-Gourma region (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso). Using ethnographic methodology and interviews, the authors analyze how jihadist governance adapts marriage norms, domestic roles, and dress codes. They conclude that the integration of these groups into the social fabric relies on their ability to reproduce or reshape existing gender practices.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

This article examines the geopolitical dynamics of the Sahel and the Sahara, focusing on crises and resilience mechanisms. The author discusses conflicts such as the Libyan civil war, Mali’s fragmentation, and the rise of jihadists. The region is also shaped by the growth of trans-Saharan trafficking (drugs, weapons, migrants) and gold rushes. Sahelian states struggle to ensure stability due to weak institutions, exacerbated by international interventions. However, local populations demonstrate resilience by adapting to harsh environments, particularly through gold mining and informal trade. The article highlights the interplay between crises and adaptability, while questioning the effectiveness of international solutions.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Conflict, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Threat