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 IRIS video, dated September 3, 2024, presents an exchange between Pascal Boniface and Caroline Roussy, Research Director and Head of the Africa/s Program, on the security and political situation in the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, following the attack of August 24, 2024, one of the deadliest in the country's history. They discuss the worsening security crisis in the region, marked by a resurgence of terrorist attacks and growing political instability. The video also addresses the challenges faced by local governments and international forces in their fight against terrorism, as well as the implications for the civilian population. The speakers emphasize the importance of an integrated approach, combining military efforts, economic development and strengthening governance, to sustainably stabilize the region. They emphasize the need for increased cooperation between the Sahel states and the international community to address this multidimensional crisis.

Governance, Security, Jihad, Violence

The security crisis in West Africa and the Sahel exacerbates the vulnerability of these regions to climate change. Conflicts hamper the governance of natural resources, which are essential for the global energy transition. Regional institutions, such as ECOWAS and the African Union, are weakened, compromising their ability to respond effectively to climate challenges. According to the IPCC, these areas are among the most vulnerable to future climate fluctuations. Demands for climate justice coincide with aspirations for social justice, particularly among African youth. Securing the management of strategic minerals is crucial for the industrialization and economic development of producer countries. It is imperative to integrate security considerations into international climate negotiations to ensure effective implementation of climate agendas in the Sahel and West Africa

Climate change, Environment, Natural ressources, Security, Vulnerability

The article “Knowledge is Power: Youth-led research to address power dynamics in knowledge and advocacy processes to end child marriage and promote girls’ education in West Africa” published in July 2024 by Girls Not Brides, highlighting the alarming prevalence of child marriage in West and Central Africa, where 39% of girls are married before the age of 18. Countries such as Niger (76%), Central African Republic (68%) and Chad (67%) are among the highest rates in the world. The project aims to strengthen the participation of young people, especially young women, in research and advocacy processes

Education, Women

The Danish Refugee Council’s article “Education under attack in West and Central Africa highlights the devastating impact of conflict on education in the region. By the end of the 2021-2022 school year, more than 12,400 schools were closed in eight countries, mainly due to attacks by non-state armed groups, teachers fleeing or parents being afraid to send their children to school. This is jeopardizing the future of entire generations of children, depriving them of access to learning and exposing them to compounding risks such as early marriage, child labour and recruitment by armed groups. Despite the adoption of the Safe Schools Declaration by most countries in the region, persistent attacks underscore the need for concrete measures to protect education. The report recommends holistic and multi-sectoral approaches, strengthening alternative learning solutions and increasing funding for education in emergencies.

Governance, Security, Education

The article highlights the active engagement of women and youth in the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal, in the fight against the reduction of civic spaces. Historically marginalized from political power, these groups vigorously oppose repression and blockages of political transitions, demanding governance aligned with their aspirations. Citizen movements such as Balai Citoyen in Burkina Faso, the Mouvement du 5 juin (M5) in Mali, Y'en a marre in Senegal, and others, illustrate this dynamic. Their mastery of information technologies and social networks strengthens their mobilization, as evidenced by the hashtag "Free Senegal" during the riots of March 2021. These initiatives aim to promote democracy, peace, development and the fight against corruption, while denouncing political excesses and proposing solutions to social problems.

Governance, Youth, Women