The article discusses the critical issue of youth unemployment in West Africa and suggests five key strategies to address it. It emphasizes integrating job creation into public policies through tax incentives and public procurement criteria. Agriculture and livestock farming are identified as essential sectors for massive job generation. Enhancing youth employability requires education reform and stronger partnerships with the private sector. The article also advocates for revising labor laws to create a more flexible and inclusive framework. Lastly, increased investment in employment data collection is needed to guide economic policies effectively.

Politics, Political party, Power, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Researh, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

The article “Youth and Countering Violent Extremism in Africa”, written by Medhane Tadesse and published by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) in 2022, examines the radicalization of young people in Africa and their involvement in violent extremism. It is based on research commissioned by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) which analyzed young people's experiences of violence, exclusion and injustice in 12 African countries. The study highlights that policies to combat violent extremism (P/CVE) are often ineffective because they do not take into account the voices of young people and women. Emphasis is placed on including young people in public policies to strengthen community resilience and reduce their vulnerability to extremist groups. The article proposes alternative approaches based on social inclusion, civic engagement and the participation of local actors, rather than repressive approaches.

Security, Political Violence, Education, Youth, Human security, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article “Gender, violence and violent extremism in Africa” by Fredline M'Cormack-Hale, published by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) in 2022, explores the link between gender, violence and violent extremism (VE) in Africa. It draws on 14 research projects in 12 African countries to understand why young people, including women, join or resist extremist groups. The study demonstrates that women are not only victims, but also actors of EV, playing various roles ranging from logistical support to direct participation in combat. Researchers emphasize the importance of inclusive policies adapted to local specificities, integrating women not only as beneficiaries, but also as stakeholders in strategies to combat extremism. The article also emphasizes the need for policies facilitating the reintegration of women who have left these extremist groups.

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

Olivier Corten's article, published by the Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security (GRIP) on October 9, 2023, analyzes the political crisis in Niger following the coup d'état of July 26, 2023 which overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum. It examines the international reaction, notably that of ECOWAS, which considered military intervention to restore constitutional order. The author highlights the legal limits of the use of force according to international law, recalling that the UN Charter prohibits any military intervention without authorization from the Security Council. He emphasizes that neither the ECOWAS legal framework nor a possible call for help from Bazoum justifies legitimate intervention. Finally, he warns of the risks of regional fragmentation and the dangerous precedent that could represent such action.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article by Claire Lefort-Rieu examines the impact of humanitarian interventions in the education sector in Cameroon, focusing on forced migration. It discusses how aid programs influence national policy and decentralization strategies, particularly in preschool education. The study also looks at the Anglophone crisis and the "humanitarization" of primary education, attempting to depoliticize the conflict. Finally, the author analyzes a vocational training project for refugees and its interactions with state and humanitarian actors.

Governance, Migration, Education, refugee, Vocational training

The jihadist insurgency in the Sahel, initially imported, has become endogenized, rooted in local and social conflicts. Jihadist groups control vast territories and impose “indirect government”, based on sharia, terror and the protection of populations against bandits. Despite external interventions (Minusma, Barkhane, G5 Sahel), jihadist expansion continued. National armies, crucial to the fight, suffer from corruption, violence against civilians and the absence of a security strategy. Local militias, often ethnic, exacerbate tensions. The use of Russian forces (Wagner) in Mali has not reversed the dynamic. A profound reform of national armies, the eradication of corruption and better security of populations are essential to counter this threat.

Power, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production

The article examines an economic and agricultural trend in West Africa: reinvesting income from working in cocoa plantations in Côte d'Ivoire into sesame and cashew nut cultivation in Sahelian countries. These crops provide a more profitable alternative to staple crops like maize and cassava. Cashew trees aid reforestation and soil fertility, while sesame, drought-resistant, fits well into local agricultural cycles. The rise of these crops improves farmers' economic conditions, promoting education and reducing rural exodus. However, labor migration to Côte d'Ivoire for cocoa farming, including child labor, remains a critical issue.

Culture, Agriculture, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Family, Gold, Illegal activity, EMPLOYMENT

The book Refugee in One’s Own Country: A Collective Investigation into Internally Displaced Persons in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) examines the plight of individuals fleeing violence in Burkina Faso and seeking refuge in the capital. Conducted in 2021-2022 by a team of Burkinabè and French researchers, the study highlights the exclusion of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) from official statistics and humanitarian aid. Testimonies reveal harsh living conditions, difficulties integrating into the urban environment, and a lack of institutional recognition. The study also explores the complexity of the conflict in the "three-border zone" (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) and the spread of violence. Combining anthropological and geographical approaches, it sheds light on the displaced population’s adaptation strategies and their struggle for visibility amid an ongoing security and political crisis.

Politics, Political party, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production