The Freedom in the World 2024 – Guinea-Bissau report by Freedom House highlights persistent political instability. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s 2019 electoral victory was internationally recognized, yet tensions between the presidency and parliament have deepened, culminating in the dissolution of the National Assembly in December 2023 and the use of force to block MPs from entering the building. No date for new legislative elections had been set by year-end. Press freedom remains extremely fragile: journalists and media outlets—especially Radio Capital FM—face harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks. Civil society actors and human rights defenders also encounter arbitrary detention and physical assaults. Widespread corruption, weak judicial access, illegal economic activities, gender inequalities, and the trafficking of talibé children for forced begging and labor severely undermine the rule of law. Overall, governance structures remain weak, and fundamental freedoms continue to be compromised in Guinea-Bissau.

Politics, Bribery, Governance, Human Rights, Liberté d'expression, Instabilité

The 2025 national report (submitted under resolutions 5/1 and 16/21 of the United Nations Human Rights Council) provides a comprehensive overview of the human rights situation in Guinea-Bissau. Institutional efforts have been made: a national monitoring mechanism (NMIRF) was established, and laws were adopted to promote freedom of expression, gender parity in politics, and protections against human trafficking. However, progress under the national development plan “Terra Ranka” remains weak due to political instability. Serious violations persist: 123 confirmed human trafficking cases in 2021, restrictions on free speech, social rights abuses, and environmental harm due to illicit construction in protected areas. The report urges strengthening protection mechanisms, ensuring judicial follow-up, improving access to information, and enforcing human rights legislation to safeguard vulnerable populations.

Politics, Governance, Security, Human Rights, Civil Society, Liberté d'expression

The article “A Folkloric Coup d’État in Guinea-Bissau and the Ongoing Turmoil in West Africa” reports on a coup d’état that occurred shortly after the November 23, 2025 presidential election in Guinea-Bissau — a vote conducted with calm but carrying significant hope for the country’s 2.2 million inhabitants. Despite the election, the provisional results were delayed, and a group of military officers close to former president Umaro Sissoco Embaló seized power, forming a military junta called the “High Military Command.” General Denis Ncanha announced the takeover, and General Horta N’Tam was appointed head of a one-year transitional government. The article questions the true nature of the coup — some describe it as a “folkloric coup,” possibly orchestrated by Embaló himself to prevent the victory of another candidate backed by the historic party PAIGC. The author warns of renewed political instability, as seen in other West African states, and the risk of widespread “turmoil” if such maneuvers become common.

Politics, Governance, Security, Coup d'État

The article examines why Senegal’s democracy endured despite a major institutional crisis surrounding the postponement of the 2024 presidential election. When President Macky Sall cancelled the February vote, citing institutional conflict, civil society, opposition actors, and the Constitutional Council played decisive roles in protecting the rule of law. Despite political pressure, the judiciary invalidated the postponement, demonstrating its independence. At the same time, broad civic mobilization—including activists, scholars, journalists, and religious groups—demanded adherence to the constitutional electoral timeline. This combination of judicial firmness and collective citizen action enabled the organization of the March 24 election and a peaceful transition to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The article argues that Senegal’s resilience stems from a long-standing tradition of civic engagement, institutional dialogue, and public defense of democratic checks and balances.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Election, Gold, Social, Medias

The report describes a structured child-trafficking system moving children from Guinea-Bissau to Senegal, where they are forced to beg under the guise of religious education. Historically, talibés travelled to Senegal to study the Qur’an, supported by community almsgiving. However, since the 1970s, poverty, drought, and urban migration have turned this tradition into widespread exploitation. Marabouts now recruit children from vulnerable families—often through deception—and smuggle them across porous borders. Once in Senegal, children live in overcrowded, unsafe shelters and must deliver daily quotas of money. Forced begging has become a profitable criminal activity, linked to money laundering through the cashew and charcoal trade. While Senegal and Guinea-Bissau have ratified international conventions and adopted anti-trafficking laws, enforcement remains weak due to limited resources, strong cultural tolerance, and well-organized trafficking networks.

Security, Poverty, Human Rights, Vulnerability, Insécurité, Enfant, Trafic

The article reports that Bissau-Guinea’s president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, a few weeks before his mandate was to end in February 2025, unilaterally announced a postponement of the presidential election to November 2025 — while simultaneously declaring his candidacy. This decision follows a series of controversial moves, including the dissolution of Parliament in 2023 and the postponement of legislative elections initially expected in 2024 — developments that further weaken Guinea-Bissau’s democratic framework. By delaying elections and controlling state institutions, Embaló appears to be attempting to consolidate his hold on power and sideline the opposition. Meanwhile, the population — already burdened by persistent poverty, underdevelopment, and fragile public services — suffers, and political instability deters foreign investment and slows down needed economic, social, and institutional reforms. The article calls for free, transparent, and credible elections in November 2025, as crucial to rebuild trust in institutions and pave the way for lasting political stability in Guinea-Bissau.

Politics, Governance, Democracy, Election, Coup d'État, Instabilité

The article “Strengthened governance to boost responsible investment in agriculture and food systems” explains how Liberia and Sierra Leone are working to improve the quality and effectiveness of agricultural investments, which are vital for reducing poverty and hunger. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities, increasing the need for substantial agricultural funding to achieve the first two SDGs. Ensuring that investments generate positive social, economic, and environmental impacts is crucial. The FAO supports governments, civil society, and private-sector actors in applying the CFS-RAI Principles, improving governance mechanisms, harmonizing policies, reforming crop compensation systems, and establishing multi-stakeholder platforms for inclusive decision-making. The initiatives include capacity building for local actors, aligning screening tools for investment approval, and fostering a shared national vision for responsible agricultural development. The goal is to create better-coordinated, more transparent, and more equitable investment environments.

Governance, Agriculture, Food security, Funding

The article “Le droit à la santé en Côte d’Ivoire” analyzes the evolution of the country’s health system between 2017 and 2023. Significant progress has been made in expanding health infrastructure, training personnel and strengthening political commitment. However, financing remains inadequate: only 6% of the national budget is allocated to health, far below the WHO recommendation of 15%. Heavy dependence on international partners creates fragility and undermines sustainability. Territorial inequalities persist, with rural regions facing shortages of doctors, medical supplies, and functional facilities. The Universal Health Coverage (CMU) initiative represents progress, but its implementation is still limited. Vulnerable groups—women, children, people with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence—face the greatest barriers. The report calls for stronger public investment, improved governance, better territorial equity, and enhanced mechanisms for addressing gender-based violence.

Governance, Inequality, Santé publique, Funding

This policy brief examines why The Gambia, despite being ranked among Africa’s safest countries, remains vulnerable to violent extremism. Regional insecurity—especially Mali’s crisis, Sahelian instability, and porous borders—creates significant exposure risks. Internal vulnerabilities amplify these threats: growing religious radicalization within some madrasa systems, the influence of reformist preachers, rising sectarian tensions, and severe youth unemployment. The brief stresses the need for a multisectoral approach combining security reform, stronger governance, regulation of religious education, community mediation, youth engagement, and empowerment of women and local leaders. Efforts led by the Gambian government, ECOWAS, civil society, and youth organizations—such as security sector reform, counterterrorism strategies, peace education initiatives, and the Youth, Peace and Security Action Plan—highlight progress. However, coordination remains weak, institutions operate in silos, and rural communities face structural marginalization and limited state presence, which heighten their vulnerability to radicalization and extremist narratives. Strengthening resilience requires sustained, integrated, and community-centered interventions.

Governance, Security, Youth, Extremism, Vulnerability, Violence, Radicalisation