The article outlines the evolution of U.S. policy in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel. Initially focused on diplomatic engagement during the Cold War, the policy shifted in the 1990s to address economic and security challenges. Initiatives like AGOA, PEPFAR, and Power Africa were introduced. Militarily, the establishment of AFRICOM in 2007 signaled a commitment to counterterrorism efforts. Programs such as the Pan-Sahelian Initiative aimed to strengthen the capacities of Sahelian countries. The article also highlights U.S.-France collaboration in counterterrorism, while advocating for greater transparency and a shift towards actions that promote socio-economic development.

Governance, Influence

In this podcast, Pape Abdou Ndour highlights the commitment of sociologist Fatou Sow, a pioneer of African feminism, towards an inclusive democracy. He revisits a 2019 interview where she denounced the stigmatization of women in cases of early pregnancies, emphasizing the often-overlooked responsibility of men. The podcast also discusses the symposium held in Dakar in May 2025 by the Foundation for Innovation in Democracy, honoring Fatou Sow. This event brought together researchers and activists to discuss democracy from a female perspective, covering topics such as women's knowledge, technologies, and sexualities. The author emphasizes the importance of acknowledging gender discrimination and valuing women's knowledge to build substantive democracy in Africa

Governance, Gender, Democracy, Women's rights

In this article published by WATHI, Said Djinnit, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, and El-Ghassim Wane emphasize the critical historical turning point Africa is facing amid global geopolitical shifts. Drawing inspiration from Salim Ahmed Salim’s visionary 1990 report, the authors call for a unified, strategic response. Despite significant political, legal, and economic frameworks (Agenda 2063, AfCFTA, peace and governance instruments), the gap between normative ambition and implementation remains troubling. The weakening of multilateralism, declining development aid, and Africa’s growing marginalization highlight the urgency of rethinking African political action around the effective execution of its commitments. The authors advocate for a new founding report—initiated by the African Union—that mobilizes all sectors of society and provides a clear, ambitious, and actionable vision for the continent’s future. The time for bold, unified leadership and concrete delivery is now.

Governance, International cooperation

The article by Joseph Siegle and Hany Wahila, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, explores the democratic implications of Africa’s 2025 elections. In a context of declining democratic norms, ten elections are scheduled across West and Central Africa, many of which are expected to be heavily orchestrated. The authors highlight how incumbent regimes manipulate electoral institutions to retain power. The article stresses the importance of distinguishing genuinely competitive elections from staged ones. Independent observers, media, and civil society play a critical role in defending electoral integrity. These elections will serve as a major credibility test for democracy in Africa.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Election, Gold, Human security

This monitoring bulletin, published in April 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF), evaluates micro-enterprises supported in the moughataa of Bassikounou, Mauritania, under a project for the socioeconomic inclusion of Malian refugees and host communities. The report highlights slight improvements in profitability, particularly in agriculture and crafts, but also reveals entrepreneurs' heavy reliance on external aid, limited access to formal financing, and persistent economic fragility. Key challenges include high costs and scarcity of raw materials, limited use of management tools, and underdeveloped local financial mechanisms. The bulletin recommends strengthening personalized support, structuring community financing systems, and building local partnerships. It also suggests innovative strategies such as resilience funds and collective input purchasing to improve sustainability and autonomy.

Power, Agriculture, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding

The infographic titled “Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization Is Reshaping Its Security Landscape”, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in May 2025, visualizes the impact of rapid urban growth on security dynamics across the continent. By 2050, Africa’s urban population is projected to reach 1.4 billion. The infographic highlights how informal urban settlements are becoming increasingly vulnerable to organized crime, militant activity, gang violence, and rising social tensions. Urban centers like Khartoum, Goma, Bamako, and Maiduguri are emerging as key hotspots of insecurity. The document calls for urban security approaches that prioritize community-based policing, social services, and inclusive governance, warning against heavy-handed or exclusionary strategies that risk further alienating marginalized populations.

Politics, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Urbanisation

The report “Armed Groups and the Conflict Economy in National Parks of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin” examines the growing control of violent extremist groups (notably JNIM and ISSP) over the WAP complex (W, Arly, and Pendjari parks). These groups leverage illicit economies (smuggling, gold mining, poaching) and state absence to impose alternative governance through zakat and protection in exchange for access to natural resources. The report highlights long-standing local grievances, land disputes, weak state presence, and evolving intercommunal tensions. Armed groups use these dynamics to expand toward coastal countries. Relations between communities, park rangers, and the state are tense, often marked by abuse, mistrust, and violence. WAP thus becomes a strategic zone for consolidating armed control and illicit logistics. The report urges a coordinated response blending security, governance, and development strategies to address structural vulnerabilities.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Threat, Civil Society

Nate Allen’s article, published on May 6, 2025, by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, examines the destabilizing proliferation of military drones across Africa. Due to declining costs and technological accessibility, 31 African states and several non-state armed groups now deploy drones for intelligence, surveillance, and attacks. The analysis identifies four major trends: accelerated procurement, Turkey’s rising influence as a supplier, growing domestic production capacities, and increased usage by non-state actors. The article illustrates drones’ transformative yet limited impact in conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya. Despite offering tactical advantages, drones are less effective against guerrilla tactics and do not replace the need for effective ground forces. Proxy dynamics further dilute decisive outcomes. The author calls for African governments to adopt a nuanced understanding, combining counter-drone capabilities with a comprehensive operational doctrine.

Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Military activity, Human security, Threat

The report “An Assessment of the Experiences and Vulnerabilities of Pastoralists and At-Risk Groups in the Atakora Department of Benin” explores the root causes of agro-pastoral conflicts and the recruitment strategies of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) in northern Benin. Conducted by Elva Community Engagement in 2022, the study reveals that land reforms, forced sedentarization, socio-political marginalization (particularly of Fulani groups), and intercommunal tensions have been exploited by groups such as JNIM and ISGS. Youth and women are especially vulnerable due to economic exclusion and restrictive social systems. The report also highlights weak local resilience mechanisms and the need for community-driven interventions. Despite rising insecurity, trust in state-led security efforts remains relatively high among local populations.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production