The article, titled "NATO and Security Challenges in the Saharo-Sahelian Region in the Era of New Geopolitical Realities," analyzes the growing security challenges in the Saharo-Sahelian region, including the proliferation of terrorist groups, arms and drug trafficking, and political instability. Author Rabah Aynaou examines NATO's potential role in this area, considering new geopolitical dynamics. He suggests that NATO strengthen its cooperation with regional countries and organizations to enhance security and stability. The article also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach, including economic and social development initiatives, to address the root causes of insecurity.

Governance, Security, Cooperation

The article examines the communication challenges faced by Ghanaian health professionals when treating French-speaking refugees, particularly Ivorians who arrived in Ghana following the political crises of 2010-2011. These refugees are mainly housed in Ampain, Egyeikrom and Fetentaa camps. The language barrier between English-speaking medical staff and French-speaking patients compromises the quality of care. The authors recommend training in medical French for Ghanaian health staff, the development of an adapted bilingual curriculum and immersion internships in French-speaking countries, such as Côte d'Ivoire. They also propose the training of specialized medical interpreters to facilitate interactions when direct communication is difficult. These measures aim to improve patient-physician communication and ensure quality care for French-speaking refugees in Ghana.

Culture, Health, refugee

The study "Security and Judicial Cooperation in West Africa to Combat Jihadist Armed Groups" examines regional initiatives addressing the jihadist threat in West Africa. The author highlights the Accra Initiative, an intergovernmental mechanism focused on information sharing, security force training, and joint operations. Military cooperation between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, as well as challenges in judicial collaboration, are explored. The study emphasizes limited successes, institutional barriers, and the need for political momentum to enhance these efforts.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Human security, Cooperation

The article "War in the Sahel: Is Peace Impossible?" by Rodrigue Nana Ngassam, published in Diplomatie (March-April 2024), examines the critical security situation in the Sahel. Since 2012, the region has faced escalating violence driven by Islamist terrorism, military coups, and ineffective international intervention. Sahelian states, weakened by poor governance and internal conflicts, struggle to maintain authority over their territories. Russia, through the Wagner Group, has increased its presence, fueling anti-Western sentiment and intensifying tensions. The article emphasizes the need for solutions tailored to local realities to break the cycle of violence, avoiding the simple replacement of one foreign power with another. The author advocates for a rethinking of security approaches that integrate African perspectives and credible international cooperation.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Threat

The article “Democratic decline in West Africa: Characteristics and solutions” by E. Gyimah-Boadi, published by the Kofi Annan Foundation in December 2021, analyzes the decline of democratic standards in West Africa. After notable progress in the 1990s, the region is experiencing a resurgence of authoritarianism, illustrated by attempts to extend presidential terms beyond constitutional limits and an increase in electoral violence. Internal factors include a persistent authoritarian political culture and ethnic divisions, while external factors include an international environment less favorable to democratization. Growing security challenges, such as violent extremism, exacerbate this situation. To reverse this trend, the article recommends strengthening democratic institutions, promoting citizen participation and improving governance to meet the aspirations of the populations.

Governance, Democracy, Election, Human Rights, Violence

The article entitled “What are the causes of the multidimensional crises affecting Mali and Burkina Faso?” », written by Jean-Marc Gravellini and published by the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS) on March 2, 2023, analyzes the origins of the complex crises affecting these two countries. The author identifies several contributing factors: Failures of economic policies: The economic strategies implemented have failed to improve the living conditions of populations, worsening poverty and unemployment. Socio-political crises: Growing discontent with the powers that be, perceived as corrupt and ineffective, has led to persistent political instability. Growing insecurity: The rise of armed groups and terrorist activities has worsened the security situation, making it difficult to maintain order and protect citizens. These interconnected elements have led to multidimensional crises, simultaneously affecting the economic, political and security spheres of Mali and Burkina Faso.

Governance, Insécurité, Instabilité

In his August 2020 report titled "Disorder from Chaos: Why Europeans Fail to Promote Stability in the Sahel," Andrew Lebovich examines the reasons behind the European initiatives' struggles to establish stability in the Sahel. He highlights that, despite the creation of the Sahel Alliance in 2017 by France, Germany, and Sahelian countries, the expected outcomes have not been achieved. Lebovich identifies several contributing factors, including poorly coordinated approaches, insufficient understanding of local dynamics, and differing priorities between European and Sahelian actors. He recommends a reassessment of current strategies, emphasizing the importance of closer collaboration with local communities and adapting policies to on-the-ground realities to enhance the effectiveness of European interventions in the region.

Politics, Governance, Cooperation

The article titled "Persistent Conflicts, Loss of Agricultural Land, and Recurrent Food Insecurity in the Liptako-Gourma Region", authored by Eric Branckaert, Ollo Sib, Atsuvi Gamli, Souleika Abdillahi, Laure Boudinaud, Marie Ndiaye, Mariam Katile, Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Nanthilde Kamara, Federico Doehnert, Outman Badaoui, and Salvador Somda, examines the impact of armed conflicts on food security in the Liptako-Gourma region, encompassing Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Since 2014, escalating violence has led to massive population displacements, increasing from 300,000 to 864,550 individuals between March and December 2019. These displacements have disrupted agricultural activities, with many abandoning lands cultivated for generations, thereby compromising local food production. The lack of official land ownership documents complicates the return of displaced persons to their lands. In Burkina Faso, 240,000 people are severely affected by the loss of agricultural land, mainly in the Soum province. In Mali, 115,000 people are impacted, particularly in the Bandiagara, Bankass, and Koro circles. In Niger, 9,000 people are affected, especially in the Tahoua and Tillia departments. Despite these disruptions, markets for agricultural and food products have shown some resilience, although price increases have been observed in certain areas.

Conflict, Violence, Food insecurity

The article entitled "The coastal countries of West Africa. New land of expansion for Sahelian jihadist groups?", written by Mathieu Pellerin and published by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri) on February 11, 2022, analyzes the expansion of Sahelian jihadist groups towards the coastal countries of West Africa. The Eastern and Cascades regions of Burkina Faso, as well as those of Sikasso and Kayes in Mali, serve as rear bases for groups such as Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) to expand into Benin, Ivory Coast, and to a lesser extent Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Guinea. This expansion relies on local recruits and exploits the fragilities of the targeted territories, in particular the tensions linked to access to resources, community stigma and the presence of criminal networks susceptible to “jihadization”. The article underlines the importance for the authorities of these states to put in place appropriate civil and military responses to prevent a deterioration of the security situation.

Security, Jihad, Vulnerability