The report titled "Security Sector Reform and Governance in Senegal," written by Colonel Babacar Diouf and published by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) on January 22, 2024, examines the historical evolution and current state of Security Sector Governance (SSG) in Senegal. It analyzes key components of the sector, including the Army, Gendarmerie, Police, Special Forces, Intelligence Services, and the Penitentiary Sector. The article highlights major reforms undertaken since independence to strengthen the capacities of the armed forces and underscores contemporary challenges the country faces in terms of security.

Governance, Security, Réforme

In the article titled "Toxic masculinity is very present within the media," published on December 6, 2021, on WATHI, Maïmouna Astou Yade emphasizes the crucial role of media in public life and their influence on perceptions of gender equality. She notes that, despite some progress, media coverage of women's issues remains inadequate, particularly regarding violence against women, which is often downplayed. Yade criticizes the persistence of patriarchal stereotypes in the media, which promote male leadership at the expense of female representation. She calls for a multidisciplinary approach to raise awareness and train media professionals on gender equality issues, aiming to transform internal practices and improve coverage of topics related to women.

Inequality, Gender, Inclusion

In the article titled "Our sociocultural constraints are reflected in the way we handle information related to women," published on November 24, 2021, on WATHI, Sofia Ba discusses the significant yet often unrecognized role of women in Senegalese society due to sociocultural norms. She highlights that, although women are active in the media, barriers persist, frequently confining them to roles related to entertainment or sociocultural topics. Ba advocates for a more diverse representation of women in the media, reflecting their varied expertise, including in economics, politics, and sciences. She also critiques the biased treatment of information concerning women, influenced by enduring social beliefs and constraints. For her, the media play a crucial role in shaping societal perceptions of women's roles and must accurately reflect societal realities, even when uncomfortable. Ba calls for a strategic use of social networks to convey messages about gender inequalities and a redefinition of feminism, often misunderstood and negatively perceived in Senegal.

Culture, Gender, Inclusion

In this episode, hosts Enrica Picco and Rinaldo Depagne discuss with Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan, a Franco-Nigerien anthropologist, and Jean-Hervé Jezequel, Sahel Project Director at International Crisis Group, to assess the first year of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). They address the ongoing deterioration of the security situation in the central Sahel, exemplified by the September 17, 2024 attack in Bamako. The guests examine the similarities and differences in the new forms of governance emerging in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as well as the consequences of breaking ties with Western partners and turning to new international allies.

Governance, Security

The article by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, published on October 1, 2024, examines the southward advance of militant Islamist groups in Mali, intensifying threats around Bamako. Since the military coup in August 2020, security has deteriorated, with attacks within 150 km of the capital increasing from 3 in 2020 to a projected 34 in 2024. Deaths related to this violence in southern Mali are expected to double to 335 this year. Border areas with Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania are also under increased pressure. Simultaneously, human rights abuses attributed to Malian forces and Russian mercenaries have risen, with civilian deaths increasing from 84 in 2019 to a projected 1,044 in 2024. These violations undermine public trust and exacerbate community tensions. The article emphasizes the need for improved security sector governance and a transition to civilian rule to stabilize Mali and enhance regional cooperation.

Human Rights, Insécurité, Transition, Coopération régionale

The article "Performing (In)securities in West Africa: Territorial meshing and local participation in cross-border security" by Charline Kopf, published on December 19, 2023, by Presses universitaires de Louvain in the journal Anthropologie & développement, analyzes the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) border community engagement program in Senegal's border regions. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2019, the article examines various initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation between security forces and local communities, such as awareness-raising theater performances, comics, and a crisis simulation exercise. These "territorial meshing" practices promote a border control culture that shifts security responsibility to citizens. However, the author highlights that the emphasis on "local communities" participation contrasts with the global standardization of spaces and temporal logics of prevention and preparedness, creating tension between envisioned scenarios and their actual unfolding, thus opening space for criticism and questioning

Governance, Migration, Boundary, Security

The article "Strengthening Sahelian Counterinsurgency Strategy", authored by Michael Shurkin and published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on August 8, 2022, examines the surge in militant Islamist violence in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. It highlights the inadequacy of current strategies against local insurgencies employing irregular tactics. The author advocates for a population-centric counterinsurgency approach, involving the restructuring of armed forces into lighter, more mobile, and integrated units, supported by enhanced logistical and aerial capabilities. Building positive relationships with local communities is deemed essential to diminish support for insurgents. The article also recommends complementing military actions with initiatives aimed at improving living conditions, justice, and the rule of law.

Security, Jihad, Violence

Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, this report highlights the continued marginalization of African women with disabilities in public policy and feminist movements. Despite legal frameworks like the CRPD and the African Disability Protocol, implementation remains weak. Based on consultations with 244 women across 23 countries, the report reveals deep-rooted, intersectional discrimination: extreme poverty, specific forms of gender-based violence, political underrepresentation, economic exclusion, and barriers to healthcare and education. Most policies lack an intersectional lens and disaggregated data, limiting effective action. This participatory report calls for the recognition of disabled women as change-makers and provides concrete recommendations for their full inclusion. It emphasizes the urgency of integrating their voices in decision-making spaces to achieve genuine gender equality.

Health, Violence, Discrimination, Inclusive education, Inclusion, Socio-economic integration

The report “Climate Change, Development and Security in the Central Sahel”, published in June 2021, explores how climate change impacts development and security in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. It highlights the links between climate stress, food insecurity, human mobility, and conflict. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequality, armed group proliferation, and social tensions. The study argues that current responses, often overly focused on militarised security, fail to address local realities. Instead, it recommends integrated and context-sensitive strategies to enhance resilience. These include supporting sustainable livelihoods, acknowledging mobility as a coping mechanism, and reinforcing local conflict-resolution systems. The report also advocates for more coherent European and international policies that align climate adaptation with peacebuilding and development goals.

Economic Development, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Food security, Human security, Threat, Knowlege production