The article titled "Climate Risks and Food and Nutrition Security in Niger: Mapping Impacts and Resilience Needs" analyzes the effects of climate change on food security in three regions of Niger. The authors identify drought as the main risk, leading to declines in agricultural production, livestock numbers, and the disappearance of valuable tree species. These impacts exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. Factors contributing to the vulnerability of rural households include land degradation, poverty, and the rudimentary nature of agro-pastoral activities. The study proposes resilience benchmarks, classified into four groups (V1, V2, V3, V4), to guide effective responses to climate risks.

Climate change, Security, Food security

The article examines agroclimatic risks affecting rainfed agriculture in western Niger, combining community perceptions and meteorological data. Communities identify early cessation of rains, early-season sand winds, and dry spells as the main climatic risks. These perceptions align with observed data analyses, except for early cessation of rains, where an improvement is noted but remains imperceptible to communities due to climatic variability. Immediate impacts include loss of seedlings and crops, leading to food insecurity and weakened livestock. Although adaptation strategies, such as the use of improved crop varieties and water and soil conservation techniques, are implemented, communities remain vulnerable to these phenomena. The study suggests that targeted adaptation strategies addressing identified risks would help mitigate the effects of climate change on rainfed agriculture in the Sahel.

Agriculture, Climate change

The unpublished report from the Tombouctou Institute, coordinated by researcher Lassina Diarra, examines radicalization and the perception of the terrorist threat in the Bounkani region, located in the far north of Côte d'Ivoire. This study highlights the weak signals and multiple factors of growing radicalization, which is particularly worrying in the context of the advance of terrorist groups towards coastal countries. The data collected indicate that this region is already experiencing the effects of the regionalization of the threat, illustrated by the attacks in Grand-Bassam in 2016. The proximity to countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as migration from Niger, accentuate Côte d'Ivoire's vulnerabilities. Faced with this situation, the Ivorian government has undertaken to redefine its security policy and territorial administration to counter this growing threat.

Jihad, Terrorism, Vulnerability, Violence, Threat

The report "The sovereignist turning point in Mali" analyzes the trajectory adopted by the Malian authorities since they came to power in 2021 after two coups d'état. The transitional government has established a sovereignist policy, rejecting old Western influences and adopting a pan-Africanist discourse. This choice, popular with young people seeking change, has led to economic, security and diplomatic ruptures, particularly with France. However, this shift carries risks: loss of international aid and authoritarian drift. The report recommends a balanced sovereign, reinvesting in social sectors and renewing peaceful relations with partners. The success of this trajectory depends on inclusive governance and the restoration of security.

Sovereignty, Governance

The paper examines the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Western Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, highlighting an average GDP contraction of 2.6% in 2020 for the seven countries studied, due to the decline in foreign trade and investment. The agriculture, telecommunications and electricity sectors have been more resilient, thanks in part to subsidies. The pandemic has exacerbated poverty, inequality and difficulties in accessing health care, particularly due to income loss and school closures, affecting children’s educational outcomes. Response measures, such as border closures and curfews, have directly impacted livelihoods, fuelling social tensions. The paper recommends strengthening national development plans, investing in local agricultural production and improving social protection mechanisms to promote an inclusive and resilient future in the region.

Economic Development, Poverty, Crisis

The article examines financial control mechanisms in the security sector in the Sahel, in a context marked by increasing political and security instability. It highlights the need to improve governance and transparency of spending allocated to security forces to strengthen citizens’ trust. Reforms involve close cooperation between parliaments, oversight institutions, civil society and the media. Particular attention is paid to structural challenges such as the ineffectiveness of legal frameworks and the limited application of existing mechanisms. Lessons drawn from evaluations in Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger call for rigorous and inclusive financial practices.

Governance, Security, Security Management, Réforme

Crisis Group’s article “Central Sahel: At the Eye of the Storm” analyses the multidimensional crisis in the Central Sahel, spanning Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The region is facing a combination of armed conflict, political instability, humanitarian crises and environmental challenges. Violence by jihadist groups and inter-communal tensions have led to massive population displacement, exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation. Local governments, often fragile, are struggling to restore security and provide basic services, while international interventions have yet to provide sustainable solutions. The article highlights the urgent need for an integrated approach, combining security efforts, economic development and political dialogue, to sustainably stabilise the region.

Conflict, Jihad, Violence, Crisis, Insécurité

The World Bank article, published in February 2021, highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the most severe recession in the Sahel since independence, plunging an additional 1.3 million people into extreme poverty. This crisis is compounded by the escalation of violence, particularly in the tri-border region between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, causing the displacement of 2 million people. To address these challenges, the World Bank is focusing its efforts on three main areas: Climate: Investing in restoring degraded land, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening water security to develop climate-resilient food systems. Population: Focusing on educating girls and keeping them in school, particularly through the SWEDD project, to combat early marriage and promote women's empowerment. Infrastructure: Improving connectivity and promoting digital transformation, with projects aimed at providing access to electricity to millions of people. These initiatives aim to build a more sustainable and resilient future for the Sahel countries.

Governance, Climate change, Security, Development, Poverty, Women

The Media Foundation for West Africa report, published in December 2022, examines the evolution of press freedom in Mauritania in 2021. Following the election of President Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani in 2019, a democratic opening was initiated, including a national dialogue. However, private media, which appeared in 1990, continue to face major challenges. Although the decriminalization of press offenses in 2006 was a step forward, ambiguous laws still allow for censorship and harsh sanctions. The High Authority for the Press and Audiovisual (HAPA), created to regulate the sector, is often perceived as lacking independence. The absence of a specific law on access to information complicates the work of journalists, while public media remain biased in favor of the government. In 2021, the rise of social media provided new platforms for expression, but also led to attempts at state control.

Information, Réseaux sociaux, Liberté de presse