In January 2025, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA). The move was widely welcomed by the Nigerien population, with thousands demonstrating in Niamey to express their support for the ruling junta. At the same time, the country faces ongoing security challenges, highlighted by the kidnapping of a 73-year-old Austrian aid worker in Agadez on 11 January. Although the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) was initially suspected, it has not denied any involvement in the act. In addition, there are growing concerns over citizens’ rights and freedoms, particularly following the arrest on 18 January of the editor-in-chief of the private channel Canal 3. These events highlight the complex challenges Niger faces in its quest for stability and security.

Governance, Security, Liberté

In January 2025, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA). The move was widely welcomed by the Nigerien population, who demonstrated in their thousands in Niamey in support of the ruling junta. At the same time, the country faces ongoing security challenges, highlighted by the kidnapping of a 73-year-old Austrian aid worker in Agadez on 11 January. Although the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) was initially suspected, it denied any involvement in the act. In addition, concerns have grown over citizens’ rights and freedoms, particularly following the arrest on 18 January of the editor-in-chief of the private channel Canal 3. These events highlight the complex challenges Niger faces in its quest for stability and security.

Governance, Security, Liberté

On January 8, 2025, Benin was hit by an unprecedented terrorist attack, killing 30 soldiers. The assault, claimed by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), took place at the Banikoara “triple point” on the border between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso. This position, although heavily militarized, housed soldiers from Operation Mirador, a counterterrorism initiative launched in February 2022 with approximately 3,000 men. Colonel Faizou Gomina, chief of staff of the National Guard, expressed his dismay at this heavy loss. In response, General Fructueux Gbaguidi convened an extraordinary military council. The opposition, notably the Les Démocrates party, called the event a “national tragedy” and stressed the importance of regional military cooperation to counter these cross-border threats.

Governance, Security, Jihad, Violence, Coopération régionale

The research report “From “all security” to diplomatic dialogue: should we consider negotiated stability in the Sahel? » by Baba Dakono, published in January 2022 by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), examines the security situation in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. It highlights the ineffectiveness of military responses and the growing interest in negotiations with armed groups. The study highlights that fragile states in the region fail to integrate border zones into their national policies, which favors the rise of extremist groups. Despite international interventions (Barkhane, MINUSMA, G5 Sahel), violence persists and calls for political solutions are growing louder.Local dialogues already exist but remain limited due to a centralized approach. The study recommends a holistic dialogue approach, involving all stakeholders, to achieve lasting peace.

Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Political Violence, Mediation, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Dialogue

The article titled "One Year Later: The Sahel States Alliance Between Promises of Integration and Opportunism" examines the formation and evolution of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), established in September 2023 by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Initially designed as a mutual defense pact in response to ECOWAS's military intervention threats following the July 2023 coup in Niger, the AES quickly expanded its ambitions. By July 2024, the three countries announced the creation of a political and economic confederation, symbolizing their resistance to external, particularly Western, influences. This initiative raises questions about its viability and geopolitical implications, especially since similar regional cooperation efforts, such as the Liptako-Gourma Integrated Development Authority (ALG) in 1970 and the G5 Sahel in 2014, faced challenges related to funding and political rivalries. The article also highlights internal tensions and potential opportunistic motivations behind this alliance, questioning its solidity and future prospects.

Sovereignty, Governance

The article analyzes health systems in West Africa and proposes actions to improve their efficiency. He noted the progress made, although hampered by conflicts and health crises like Ebola. States are struggling to finance their health systems, leading to inequalities in access to care. WATHI recommends five areas of action: strengthening prevention, training and better distributing health professionals, improving sector financing, optimizing the daily management of health infrastructures and developing research and regional cooperation. Emphasis is placed on the need for citizen and political commitment for sustainable reforms, taking into account the limited resources of the countries concerned.

State, Economic Development, Inequality, Religious education, Education, Development, Discrimination, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

The article analyzes health systems in West Africa and proposes actions to improve their efficiency. He noted the progress made, although hampered by conflicts and health crises like Ebola. States are struggling to finance their health systems, leading to inequalities in access to care. WATHI recommends five areas of action: strengthening prevention, training and better distributing health professionals, improving sector financing, optimizing the daily management of health infrastructures and developing research and regional cooperation. Emphasis is placed on the need for citizen and political commitment for sustainable reforms, taking into account the limited resources of the countries concerned.

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

The article highlights the alarming humanitarian crisis plaguing West Africa, notably in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where armed groups are carrying out violent attacks, forcing thousands of people to flee. These attacks have led to massacres, destruction and massive displacement, worsening an already fragile situation due to climate change and food insecurity. Since March 2024, more than 67,000 Burkinabè have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Mali, Togo, Ivory Coast and Ghana. As of August 2024, 5.45 million people were displaced in the Sahel region. The article also discusses the devastating impact of floods in Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, which are making access to essential resources even more difficult. The situation of refugees and internally displaced people remains critical.

Climate change, Violence, Crise humanitaire, Food insecurity

The article entitled “Being a girl and disabled in West Africa: The educational situation in question – Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso” by Danielle TAN, published by Handicap International in 2020, examines the educational challenges faced by girls with disabilities in these countries. He emphasizes that the absence of precise data on disability hinders the implementation of adapted educational responses. Estimates indicate that around 40% of children with disabilities are out of primary school and 55% are out of lower secondary school in low-income countries. The literacy rate for adults with disabilities is 3%, and only 1% for women. In Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, less than 5% of children with disabilities are enrolled in primary school. Specialized structures, often located in large cities, are insufficient and expensive. In Burkina Faso, pioneering organizations have been working for inclusive education since the 1970s, but a lack of funding limits the scale of their projects. Since 2007, these countries have gradually developed inclusive education strategies, but the challenges remain numerous, particularly due to an often medical approach to disability and a lack of concrete inclusive educational policies.

Gender, Women, Disability