In 2024, Côte d’Ivoire experienced a turbulent political scene ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 2025. Former National Assembly Speaker Guillaume Soro, exiled in Mali after a 20-year prison sentence for attempted coup d’état, announced his candidacy in an online address on December 31, 2024. On the same day, President Alassane Ouattara declared the retrocession of the French military base of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion in Port-Bouët to the Ivorian armed forces in January 2025, marking a turning point in defense relations with France. In addition, the leader of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), Tidjane Thiam, expressed his ambition to transform the country into a prosperous and united nation. For his part, Laurent Gbagbo has affirmed his determination to be re-registered on the electoral lists to participate in the 2025 election, despite the loss of his civil rights due to a previous conviction. On the diplomatic front, tensions have arisen with Niger, accusing the Ivorian army of training Nigerien dissidents, allegations denied by Abidjan.

Political party, Political Power, Governance, Security, Election

In January 2025, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, officially left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA). The move was widely welcomed by the Nigerien population, with thousands demonstrating in Niamey to express their support for the ruling junta. At the same time, the country faces ongoing security challenges, highlighted by the kidnapping of a 73-year-old Austrian aid worker in Agadez on 11 January. Although the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) was initially suspected, it has not denied any involvement in the act. In addition, there are growing concerns over citizens’ rights and freedoms, particularly following the arrest on 18 January of the editor-in-chief of the private channel Canal 3. These events highlight the complex challenges Niger faces in its quest for stability and security.

Governance, Security, Liberté

In January 2025, Niger, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to join the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA). The move was widely welcomed by the Nigerien population, who demonstrated in their thousands in Niamey in support of the ruling junta. At the same time, the country faces ongoing security challenges, highlighted by the kidnapping of a 73-year-old Austrian aid worker in Agadez on 11 January. Although the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) was initially suspected, it denied any involvement in the act. In addition, concerns have grown over citizens’ rights and freedoms, particularly following the arrest on 18 January of the editor-in-chief of the private channel Canal 3. These events highlight the complex challenges Niger faces in its quest for stability and security.

Governance, Security, Liberté

The article titled "Togo: Senatorial elections in sight, feet in ECOWAS and hand extended to SSA," published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 25, 2025, examines Togo's geopolitical stance ahead of its first senatorial elections scheduled for February 2025. Togo, a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has expressed interest in joining the Sahel Alliance (SSA), an initiative aimed at strengthening security and development cooperation in the Sahel region. This move comes as the country faces jihadist incursions and has recently adopted a controversial constitutional reform, transitioning from a presidential to a parliamentary system. The article highlights that this reform has exacerbated internal political divisions. The upcoming senatorial elections will mark the full implementation of this political transition. The Constitutional Court has already published the final list of candidates for this election, which will take place shortly after the 20th anniversary of the death of former President Gnassingbé Eyadema.

Politics, Governance, Security, Election

On January 8, 2025, Benin was hit by an unprecedented terrorist attack, killing 30 soldiers. The assault, claimed by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), took place at the Banikoara “triple point” on the border between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso. This position, although heavily militarized, housed soldiers from Operation Mirador, a counterterrorism initiative launched in February 2022 with approximately 3,000 men. Colonel Faizou Gomina, chief of staff of the National Guard, expressed his dismay at this heavy loss. In response, General Fructueux Gbaguidi convened an extraordinary military council. The opposition, notably the Les Démocrates party, called the event a “national tragedy” and stressed the importance of regional military cooperation to counter these cross-border threats.

Governance, Security, Jihad, Violence, Coopération régionale

The article titled “Nigeria: Between the Resurgence of the North-East Front and Security Fragilities”, published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 26, 2025, analyzes the resurgence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria in early 2025. On January 4, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Sabron Gari, Borno State, killing eight soldiers and seizing weapons and ammunition. The intervention of the army, supported by fighter jets, neutralized 34 terrorists and recovered weapons. President Bola Tinubu welcomed the response and urged the army to adopt a proactive stance against terrorist groups. On January 24, a ground offensive by the army in a border area between Borno and Yobe States was targeted by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 27 soldiers. These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria despite military efforts.

Governance, Security, Terrorism, Violence

The article titled “Nigeria: Between the Resurgence of the North-East Front and Security Fragilities”, published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 26, 2025, analyzes the resurgence of terrorist attacks in Nigeria in early 2025. On January 4, the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) attacked a military base in Sabron Gari, Borno State, killing eight soldiers and seizing weapons and ammunition. The intervention of the army, supported by fighter jets, neutralized 34 terrorists and recovered weapons. President Bola Tinubu welcomed the response and urged the army to adopt a proactive stance against terrorist groups. On January 24, a ground offensive by the army in a border area between Borno and Yobe States was targeted by a suicide bomber, resulting in the death of 27 soldiers. These events highlight the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria despite military efforts.

Governance, Security, Terrorism, Violence

The article titled "The Role of Customary Institutions in Building Youth Resilience to Violence" examines how traditional structures in sub-Saharan Africa help strengthen youth resilience against violence. The authors point out that current policies often focus on youth involved in violence, overlooking the majority who choose peaceful paths. This focus can perpetuate negative stereotypes about African youth. By exploring the reasons why most young people do not resort to violence, the study highlights the crucial role of customary institutions in conflict prevention and mediation. These traditional structures provide support mechanisms and conflict resolution methods tailored to local contexts, thus promoting social cohesion and peace. The authors call for increased recognition and integration of these institutions into violence prevention strategies.

Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Mediation, Human security, Violence, Customs, Dialogue, Knowlege production

The article titled "The Role of Customary Institutions in Building Youth Resilience to Violence" examines how traditional structures in sub-Saharan Africa help strengthen youth resilience against violence. The authors point out that current policies often focus on youth involved in violence, overlooking the majority who choose peaceful paths. This focus can perpetuate negative stereotypes about African youth. By exploring the reasons why most young people do not resort to violence, the study highlights the crucial role of customary institutions in conflict prevention and mediation. These traditional structures provide support mechanisms and conflict resolution methods tailored to local contexts, thus promoting social cohesion and peace. The authors call for increased recognition and integration of these institutions into violence prevention strategies.

Security, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Customs, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Institution