In this episode of Les Voix de WATHI, Pape Abdou Ndour examines the highly publicized July 9, 2025, meeting at the White House between Donald Trump and five African presidents (Gabon, Guinea‑Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal). Beneath the surface of ceremonial protocol, the author reveals that Washington relies on the CIA to conduct serious profiling of foreign leaders through a comprehensive briefing — covering personality, goals, national context, friction points, and political outlook — to grant the U.S. president a strategic edge . This preparation is detailed in an article by Judd Devermont, Intelligence Advantage: Profiling African Leaders’ Meeting with U.S. Presidents. Such intelligence-driven diplomacy shapes interactions before, during, and after visits. Considering this intense strategic exercise, the author urges African countries to enhance their own information-gathering capabilities to better defend their interests

Governance, Diplomacy, Intelligence artificielle

In his opinion piece published on July 15, 2025, on WATHI, Jean‑Marc Segoun examines the tensions between substantive democracy and gerontocracy, emphasizing the need for intergenerational dialogue. He positions substantive democracy as a political project focused on innovation, human dignity, and long‑term social justice, where dialogue between elders and youth is crucial. In Africa, gerontocratic regimes often sideline young people from power, reinforcing inequality and stifling knowledge transfer. Segoun advocates for social innovation as a renewal engine—not just novelty, but reinventing practices that combine ancestral wisdom and youthful aspirations. He suggests creating institutional frameworks to foster tolerance, intergenerational ethics, and rites of passage, revitalizing governance and addressing authoritarian regime challenges.

Governance, Democracy, Dialogue, Gerontocracy

The article “Impacts socioéconomiques des dépenses publiques dans l’éducation préscolaire au Sénégal, CRDI et FAUEFAO, May 2025”, written by Ibrahima Aïdara and Fatou Cissé, published in May 2025 by the International Development Research Centre (CRDI), evaluates public preschool investment’s effects on economic growth and social inclusion . It finds that preschool spending boosts economic growth by roughly 1.49%, similar to construction (1.52%), but yields more balanced social outcomes. Notably, 55.7% of jobs created go to women compared with 33% in construction, and rural poverty decreases by 3%, versus 1.5% through construction . The article recommends subsidizing childcare services for low-income families, improving regulatory standards and quality of care, raising parental awareness of preschool cognitive and social benefits, and promoting local micro-enterprises in preschool service provision. This policy brief argues that investing in preschool is a cost-effective, inclusive strategy for economic development and gender equity.

Governance, Education, Politique publique

The article highlights the unprecedented Washington meeting held from July 9 to 11, 2025, between Donald Trump and five African presidents (Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal). While Trump implemented an executive order suspending U.S. aid and pivoting his foreign policy towards bilateral deals grounded in trade and security, this summit presents a strategic opportunity for Senegal, under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Aligning with its “Senegal 2050” agenda, the country can capitalize on this shift by asserting regional leadership, showcasing its strengths in security, energy, and digital sectors, and positioning itself as a key player amid China and BRICS influence. The global shift from traditional aid to structured commercial partnerships provides a platform for Senegal to emerge as a reliable strategic partner, attracting productive investment.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Diplomacy, International cooperation

The article "Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation in the Sahel and West Africa", based on a dialogue by WATHI and the SWAC, highlights the region's growing vulnerability to climate change. Sahel and West Africa face rapid biodiversity loss, agro-pastoral conflicts, droughts, floods, and forced displacement. Urbanization and demographic pressure increase competition for resources. Panelists call for an energy transition based on renewables, improved water management, integration of local knowledge, and a shift in scientific research towards practical solutions. The report urges a rethinking of development policies through a sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon lens.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Climate change, Natural ressources, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

This report investigates mental health challenges in crisis-affected contexts in Mali, Mauritania, and Chad. It highlights the impact of violence, poverty, gender inequalities, and forced displacement on mental well-being. The study explores the history of psychiatry, public policies, key actors, and presents field research in each country. Findings reveal a high prevalence of mental disorders (depression, psychosis, PTSD), a severe lack of infrastructure and trained personnel, and a weak integration between traditional and modern care. The report recommends strengthening national mental health systems, combating stigma, supporting community-based care, and aligning humanitarian interventions with local culture and psychosocial needs as part of resilience-building strategies.

Migration, Gender, Political Violence, Education, Violence, Customs, Threat, refugee, Researh, Knowlege production, Santé mentale

The article titled “Financing and Transforming Agriculture in the Sahel and West Africa”, written by Dr. Maman-Lawal Bagoudou Mossi, addresses the structural challenges of agriculture, especially in Niger. Structural adjustment programs in the 1980s led to the withdrawal of the state from productive sectors, dismantling support systems for farmers and limiting access to credit. This disengagement increased dependency on imports and worsened trade imbalances. Commercial banks, ill-suited for the realities of agriculture, created a gap filled by the Agricultural Bank of Niger (BAGRI), which offers inclusive credit schemes, particularly for women and youth. The article calls for a major overhaul of agricultural financing, including guaranteed funds, public-private partnerships, modernization of farming techniques, and targeted support policies for producers.

State, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

This bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger (ACF) in May 2025, presents monitoring data from 64 microenterprises supported in Bassikounou, Mauritania. The report highlights the continued economic vulnerability of households, despite support for income-generating activities (IGAs). Average monthly income remains low (27,540 MRU) and unstable, particularly for women (22,250 MRU). Households face heavy expenses for health, food, and education, with limited savings capacity and weak income diversification. The report also notes the negative impact of climate shocks on economic activities. While beneficiaries acknowledge positive effects from the program, their prospects remain precarious without structural support, enhanced market access, training, and financing opportunities.

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

Published on July 7, 2025 by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Paul Nantulya’s article explores the declining appeal of China’s transactional diplomacy in Africa, based on economic deals devoid of political conditions. This model now faces mounting criticism in several African countries. In Ghana, civil society organizations denounce environmental harm and opaque mining projects. In Sierra Leone, Chinese mining contracts are increasingly questioned. In Nigeria, despite strong bilateral ties, concerns grow about trade imbalances. In Senegal, tensions emerge around Chinese port infrastructure. These cases reveal a growing disillusionment in West Africa, where citizens demand more transparency, fairer deals, and local benefits. The author urges a restructuring of China-Africa partnerships to focus on good governance and African-led development priorities.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Mediation, Gold, Dialogue, Diplomacy