This podcast episode highlights the critical importance of keeping girls in school for the future of West African and African societies. While political and security issues often dominate the agenda, girls’ education remains a foundational element for social stability, cohesion, employment, and meaning for populations. With guest expert Aïcha Awa Ba, the discussion reveals major obstacles to girls’ schooling: early marriage, the perceived opportunity cost for parents, and social norms that prioritize future mother/spouse roles over education. Comparative data indicate that even when gross enrolment rates are similar between countries, gender parity can differ greatly—Senegal is cited as a case where strong public policies and civil society engagement have produced positive results. In conclusion, the episode calls for integrated girls’ education policies tailored to sociocultural contexts and ongoing community dialogue to shift perceptions: the future of societies depends on it.

Culture, Governance, Gender, Education, Women

The report analyzes the upcoming 2025 Ivorian presidential election, marked by tension and recurring patterns of political confrontation. It highlights the absence of any peaceful transfer of power since 1995 a situation described as the “Ivorian paradox.” The controversy surrounding President Alassane Ouattara’s fourth-term bid, coupled with the exclusion of key opposition figures, fuels deep resentment and polarization. The report also points to the failure of political elites to establish genuine dialogue on electoral rules, as well as the revival of divisive identity politics related to nationality and “Ivoirité.” Despite steady economic growth, fragile institutions and low public trust increase the risk of instability. The election is therefore described as “high-risk,” with potential for major unrest if the process continues to be viewed as non-inclusive.

Cultural identity, Governance, Election, Political identity, Presidential term limits

The article “Regional Cooperation and Maritime Governance in the Gulf of Guinea: A Critical Analysis” by René Ngek Monteh (University of Yaounde I) explores the dynamics of maritime governance and regional cooperation across the Gulf of Guinea, from Senegal to Angola. Despite multiple international efforts (UN, EU, ECOWAS, ECCAS, MOWCA), the region remains plagued by piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and corruption. Monteh highlights weak institutions, poor coordination, and mistrust among states as major obstacles to effective maritime governance. He advocates for integrated regional frameworks, institutional capacity building, and political reforms to ensure sustainable resource use and enhanced maritime security. The paper argues that peace at sea depends on stability on land, urging stronger collaboration between states, regional organizations, and international partners to achieve sustainable peace and a resilient blue economy.

State, Governance, Security, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Human security, Cooperation, Threat, Knowlege production

The article examines Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election scheduled for October 12, with Paul Biya – aged 92 and long-time incumbent – running for an eighth consecutive term. It highlights a tightly controlled political system in which the ruling party (RDPC) dominates state institutions including the electoral commission and judiciary. The opposition is deeply fragmented and weakened by internal divisions and personal rivalries, making it difficult to present a credible alternative. Security issues constitute a significant challenge: the anglophone crisis in the North West and South West (NOSO) regions undermines electoral conditions, while Boko Haram’s attacks in the far north complicate voting access, particularly for displaced populations. The article warns that the electoral process could be undermined by these political and security pressures.

Politics, Political party, Governance, Election

The article examines the resurgence of the Boko Haram conflict in Cameroon’s Far North region, despite governmental and regional cooperation efforts. It outlines the group’s historical penetration and expansion since 2009–2014 in the border area with Nigeria, describes the evolving tactics (guerrilla warfare, suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices, kidnappings), and highlights its embedding within informal networks and smuggling routes. The socio-economic toll is severe: disruption of agriculture and trade, population displacement, abandonment of schools and health centers, and rising intercommunity tensions. The authors warn that the conflict could endure: overcrowded prisons, the politicization or transformation of vigilance committees into militias, and continuous influxes of Nigerian refugees pose real threats to regional stability. Their recommendations focus on improving governance, strengthening cross-border cooperation, enhancing local resilience, and pursuing de-escalation strategies in the security domain.

Politics, Governance, Boundary, Security, Radicalisation

The article analyzes the pressures and challenges facing Côte d’Ivoire’s security sector in the post-conflict period, tracing the transition from state withdrawal toward renewed state control over security. It points out that while the “return of the State” was prioritized, the Security Sector Reform (SSR) reflects a significant gap between formal policies and real practices, since power dynamics continue to shape outcomes. The 2017 mutinies (in January and May) served as a catalyst for accelerated reforms, but questions remain about their sustainability. The army continues to be affected by extractive practices, militaro-economic networks, and insubordination, particularly among integrated ex-rebels. The article argues for viewing reforms politically rather than purely technically, stressing the need to build trust with communities, strengthen civil oversight, and responsibly integrate former combatants into institutional frameworks.

Governance, Security, Institution, Réforme, Groupes armés

The 2020 Human Rights Watch report on Côte d’Ivoire highlights economic growth in 2019 but criticizes the government’s failure to address the root causes of past political violence — notably entrenched impunity, judicial politicization, and enduring ethnic tensions. The ICC’s acquittal of Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, coupled with stalled domestic prosecutions, reinforced a climate of impunity. Legal reforms—such as the criminalization of torture, reduced pretrial detention, and gender equality measures—were welcomed, yet some provisions threaten freedoms of expression and assembly. Security forces’ excessive use of force against protesters and arbitrary arrests raised further concern. The report urges impartial justice, deeper security sector reform, and greater protection of fundamental freedoms ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Governance, Justice, Liberté, Impunity, Law

This article analyzes the psychological, social, and cultural determinants that underpin the normalization and institutionalization of corruption in Côte d’Ivoire. It argues that corruption is not merely the consequence of institutional weaknesses, but is sustained by cultural logics: a redistribution logic of acquired wealth, which motivates influential actors to share benefits with their kin; a logic of lucrative positions, where public offices are viewed as profit-making opportunities; and social learning of corruption, whereby individuals mimic corrupt behaviors observed among superiors. The paper also discusses the notion of imitative resourcefulness, in which people replicate corruption practices perceived as normal in the system. Based on qualitative interviews with civil servants, the study reveals that for many, corruption has become a routine part of state functioning.

Bribery, Governance, Social, Institution

This podcast episode highlights the critical role of think tanks, research centers, and universities as foundational institutions for producing and disseminating credible knowledge amid a world of confusion, polarization, and crises of meaning. These institutions are portrayed as essential in providing factual data, crafting alternative scenarios, mediating between scholarship and public policy, and strengthening democratic debate. At a 10-year anniversary conference in Dakar, speaker Cheikh Gueye showcased how think tanks like IPAR in Senegal have impacted public policies—such as agricultural subsidy reform—through rigorous analysis. The discussion also covered the relationship between academia, research institutions, and decision-makers, as well as the importance of women in knowledge-production spaces. The episode emphasizes that in times of leadership crisis globally, research and enlightened reasoning are more indispensable than ever.

Governance, Knowlege production, Institution, Scientific research