In her review of Guérir en Afrique. Promesses et transformations, Géraldine Vernerey-Kopp examines a collective volume edited by Alice Desclaux, Aïssa Diarra, and Sandrine Musso. The book investigates the concept of healing in various African settings through a multidisciplinary and constructivist lens. Spread over 14 chapters and four parts, the work explores healing as a therapeutic promise, a collective construction, an individual perception, and a global health issue. It highlights the complexities of medical pluralism, the interaction between biomedicine, traditional, and religious healing systems, and the challenge of defining “healing” in chronic or socially constructed illnesses. Although the notion of healing sometimes remains elusive, the book offers valuable insights to rethink healthcare systems and the role of local therapeutic knowledge in Africa and beyond.

Power, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Customs, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article explores the impact of Covid-19-related misinformation in West Africa, where social media accelerates the spread of rumors and conspiracy theories, often faster than scientific facts. The authors identify structural causes of this "infodemic": distrust in authorities, information asymmetry, manipulation of data, and social fragility. Examples from Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire show how fear, stigmatization, and fake news intensify social tensions. The article calls for multilingual, inclusive, and creative public communication involving community leaders and influencers. It emphasizes the responsibility of governments, media, and civil society in ensuring the dissemination of reliable information. The authors argue that effective communication can mean the difference between life and death in a pandemic context.

Governance, Numérique, Réseaux sociaux, Disinformation

Bréma Ely Dicko’s article traces the history of forced migration in Mali from the colonial era to the present. During colonization (1893–1960), forced labor, head taxes, and military conscription caused massive displacements. After independence, political repression, Tuareg rebellions, droughts, poverty, and institutional fragility intensified these movements. The 2012 security crisis marked a significant shift, leading to unprecedented internal displacements and refugee flows, further exacerbated by the 2020 and 2021 coups. Drawing on documentary research and interviews, the article highlights the complex drivers of forced migration in Mali and the limited capacity of state responses. It emphasizes the humanitarian consequences, long-term exile, and growing social tensions in a persistently unstable environment.

Politics, Political party, State, Migration, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

In this interview, Dr. Yacine Diagne, a political scientist and head of the radio department at CESTI, Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, advocates for the democratization of Senegal's media landscape. She emphasizes the importance of strengthening journalist training and promoting ethical and responsible information dissemination. Dr. Diagne highlights the need to combat misinformation, especially during electoral periods, by involving media outlets, institutions, and civil society. She underscores the crucial role of media in consolidating democracy and calls for balanced regulation that respects press freedom while ensuring the quality of disseminated information.

Governance, Democracy, Medias, Disinformation

Angeline Savadogo's article explores the shifting nature of foreign policy in the Sahel, once confined to diplomatic elites but now influenced by active youth participation. Young people, educated or not, increasingly engage with geopolitics—through protests, demands for sovereignty, and symbolic actions—reflecting a politicized but often under-informed citizenry. The article highlights the institutional void: youth centers are dysfunctional, formal diplomacy remains distant, and international norms like the Vienna Convention are little known. Social media becomes the main outlet for expression. Savadogo calls for inclusive strategic thinking involving youth, scholars, and institutions. She advocates for integrating international relations into educational systems and fostering participatory diplomacy. In the Sahel’s shifting geopolitical landscape, youth are not passive observers—they are emerging actors. Without structured engagement, they risk becoming destabilizing forces instead of constructive agents of change.

Sovereignty, Governance, Youth, Democracy

The joint pastoral surveillance bulletin by Action Contre la Faim (ACF) and Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium (VSF-B) for February–March 2025 reports an overall satisfactory pastoral situation in Niger. Pastures remain widely available, surface water is sufficient, and markets are accessible. However, livestock body condition has slightly declined and suspected cases of animal diseases persist, though less than in previous periods. Prices of livestock and cereals have decreased, leading to a mild deterioration in terms of trade for herders. Incidents of bushfires, livestock thefts, and inter-community conflicts have also declined. The report recommends increased vaccination, awareness campaigns on transhumance, and better youth engagement to sustainably manage pastoral resources. Efforts should focus on improving disease surveillance, supporting pastoral markets, and sharing strategic information across communities.

State, Boundary, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Information, Marché

From November 29 to 30, 2023, the Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) organized a regional workshop in Dakar focusing on crises in West Africa. Gathering academics, researchers, and civil society actors from eight countries, discussions addressed democratic, security, and institutional challenges in the region. Participants highlighted the negative impact of crises on political stability, governance, and regional integration, particularly within ECOWAS. The workshop emphasized the need to rethink democratic models, considering local contexts and the aspirations of populations. Recommendations were made to strengthen the rule of law, promote inclusive governance, and revitalize regional cooperation to build more resilient and legitimate institutions.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Regional integration

Niger is facing a complex humanitarian crisis characterized by insecurity, food shortages, epidemics, flooding, and high malnutrition rates. In 2025, 2.2 million people—8% of the population—are projected to be in acute food insecurity. Armed conflict, administrative barriers to humanitarian access, and the suspension of USAID funding are worsening the situation. Acute malnutrition remains alarming: 1.7 million children are expected to be affected, including 412,000 with severe acute malnutrition. The most impacted regions are Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Tillabéri. ACF operates in these areas with an integrated, multisectoral approach including health, nutrition, WASH, and food security, with special focus on displaced populations and pastoralists. Despite strong impact, only 12% of the response needs are currently funded. The report calls for urgent, coordinated, and adequately resourced action to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

Natural ressources, Security, Education, Family, Food security, Gold, Human security, Information, Insécurité, Malnutrition

In this WATHI-published op-ed, El-Ghassim Wane reflects on Africa’s potential contributions to the upcoming 8th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin (May 2025). He highlights the continent’s direct experience with peacekeeping and draws out three core insights: (1) peacekeeping is an effective, sovereignty-enhancing, and life-saving tool; (2) the UN and African Union must further strengthen their complementary roles; (3) peacekeeping embodies multilateralism. Wane advocates for a deeper AU-UN partnership, greater African ownership of peace operations, and a rebalancing between prevention, mediation, and military engagement. He also urges increased investment in structural prevention—especially governance and human rights—by combining the AU’s normative frameworks and the UN’s technical capacities. The Berlin conference represents a critical moment for Africa to assert its voice within the global multilateral system.

Governance, Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, International cooperation