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 article titled “Nigeria: Between the Resurgence of the North-East Front and Security Fragilities”, published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 26, 2025, analyzes the resurgence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria in early 2025. On January 4, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Sabron Gari, Borno State, killing eight soldiers and seizing weapons and ammunition. The intervention of the army, supported by fighter jets, neutralized 34 terrorists and recovered weapons. President Bola Tinubu welcomed the response and urged the army to adopt a proactive stance against terrorist groups. On January 24, a ground offensive by the army in a border area between Borno and Yobe States was targeted by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 27 soldiers. These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria despite military efforts.

Governance, Security, Terrorism, Violence

The article titled “Nigeria: Between the Resurgence of the North-East Front and Security Fragilities”, published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 26, 2025, analyzes the resurgence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria in early 2025. On January 4, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Sabron Gari, Borno State, killing eight soldiers and seizing weapons and ammunition. The intervention of the army, supported by fighter jets, neutralized 34 terrorists and recovered weapons. President Bola Tinubu welcomed the response and urged the army to adopt a proactive stance against terrorist groups. On January 24, a ground offensive by the army in a border area between Borno and Yobe States was targeted by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 27 soldiers. These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria despite military efforts.

Governance, Security, Terrorism, Violence

The article titled "The Role of Customary Institutions in Building Youth Resilience to Violence" examines how traditional structures in sub-Saharan Africa help strengthen youth resilience against violence. The authors point out that current policies often focus on youth involved in violence, overlooking the majority who choose peaceful paths. This focus can perpetuate negative stereotypes about African youth. By exploring the reasons why most young people do not resort to violence, the study highlights the crucial role of customary institutions in conflict prevention and mediation. These traditional structures provide support mechanisms and conflict resolution methods tailored to local contexts, thus promoting social cohesion and peace. The authors call for increased recognition and integration of these institutions into violence prevention strategies.

Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Mediation, Human security, Violence, Customs, Dialogue, Knowlege production

The article titled "The Role of Customary Institutions in Building Youth Resilience to Violence" examines how traditional structures in sub-Saharan Africa help strengthen youth resilience against violence. The authors point out that current policies often focus on youth involved in violence, overlooking the majority who choose peaceful paths. This focus can perpetuate negative stereotypes about African youth. By exploring the reasons why most young people do not resort to violence, the study highlights the crucial role of customary institutions in conflict prevention and mediation. These traditional structures provide support mechanisms and conflict resolution methods tailored to local contexts, thus promoting social cohesion and peace. The authors call for increased recognition and integration of these institutions into violence prevention strategies.

Security, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Customs, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Institution

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 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

On January 25, 2024, the military authorities of Mali announced the end of the Algiers Agreement, signed in 2015 with armed groups in the North, notably the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA). This agreement aimed to pacify the country through increased decentralization and the integration of ex-rebels into the army. However, its implementation has been slow and incomplete, with only 30% of the provisions applied in 2022. The breakdown of the agreement risks worsening the security crisis in Mali, where clashes between the army and armed groups are intensifying. Algeria, the main mediator, is accused of hostility, while the international community struggles to play its role as guarantor. Tensions between armed groups and the ruling junta could lead to an escalation of violence and endanger the stability of the region.

Governance, Security