The article entitled “Revealing social vulnerability profiles for the management of urban floods: the case of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)”, written by Mwingnè Laure Carolle Da, Hugues Hangnon, Marion Amalric, Aude Nikiema, Élodie Robert and Emmanuel Bonnet, was published in 2022 in Cybergeo: European Review of Geography. It analyzes the vulnerability of the inhabitants of Ouagadougou to flooding as part of phase 2 of the Raincell Africa project. A socio-demographic survey carried out among 2,137 households made it possible, thanks to statistical analyses, to identify eight vulnerability profiles. The results indicate that the peripheral areas of the city, characterized by informal settlements, are the most vulnerable. This increased exposure is linked to sociodemographic factors such as education level, risky urbanization behaviors and poor perception of danger. These elements are crucial for improving urban flood management.

Vulnerability, Urbanisation, Floods

In Senegal, despite legislative progress in favor of gender parity, women remain largely under-represented in land governance bodies at the municipal level. This situation contrasts with their major contribution to agricultural production, particularly in food crops. Furthermore, although the principle of citizen participation is legally recognized, there is a lack of operational mechanisms allowing the effective involvement of local communities, particularly women, in land management. To remedy this exclusion, civil society organizations have developed tools aimed at promoting participatory and inclusive land governance. These initiatives encourage the establishment of joint local consultation frameworks and the strict application of parity in decision-making bodies. Administrative authorities are called upon to ensure respect for parity in state commissions, and the State, as well as parliamentarians, to legally recognize these gender-sensitive local governance tools.

Governance, Women, Civil Society, REAL ESTATE

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

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

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