Two years after Niger’s July 26, 2023 coup d’état, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the country remains mired in political and socio-economic deadlock. Former head of the presidential guard, Tiani justified overthrowing President Bazoum by citing security failures and excessive foreign—particularly French—influence. Reactions from ECOWAS, including sanctions and the threat of military intervention, along with France’s stance, bolstered the CNSP’s nationalist image. Yet, continued closure of the border with Benin, soaring prices, and worsening poverty have deepened public disillusionment. Bazoum and his wife remain under house arrest, symbolizing an unfinished transition. Despite sovereignist rhetoric, the current government has failed to improve the economy or security. The future remains uncertain, with the risk that the pursuit of dignity could lead to prolonged insecurity, authoritarianism, and widespread poverty.

Sovereignty, Governance, Coup d'État

The Bi-monthly Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Sahel (No. 32, April–May 2025) reports a lean season marked by a sharp decline in forage resources and the drying up of temporary surface water. Livestock movements are generally limited but include mass departures or arrivals, often driven by insecurity. Localized resource availability leads to high livestock concentrations, deterioration in animal body condition, and suspected disease outbreaks (botulism, peste des petits ruminants, vitamin deficiencies). Cereal and livestock prices are rising, with terms of trade unfavorable to herders. Cattle theft remains an issue, especially in high-density zones and in the Gao region. Conditions vary by country, with pastoral resources sometimes sufficient (Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire) but often deficient (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal), creating both economic and animal health challenges.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Human security, Information, Insécurité

The podcast examines the candidacy of Paul Biya, 92, for an eighth presidential term in Cameroon, calling it absurd and dangerous. In power since 1982, Biya is among the world’s longest-serving heads of state. The October 2025 election is expected to take place under questionable conditions, with growing dissent—including within his own party—and a high risk of violence. In the medium term, the most likely outcome is an unconstitutional succession, potentially led by the military, with severe regional repercussions given Cameroon’s borders with six unstable countries. The author stresses the role of political, economic, and social elites in enabling such power grabs. He concludes by highlighting that, despite the political crisis, many Cameroonian civic initiatives and organizations are working tirelessly for education, innovation, and the common good.

Politics, Governance, Election, Instabilité

The pastoral surveillance bulletin (April–May 2025) for northern Côte d’Ivoire, prepared by ACF, RBM, and OPEN-CI, highlights fragile pastoral conditions despite improvements from the onset of the rainy season. Pasture and water resources remain insufficient in some areas due to pressures from transhumance, refugee inflows, and land conflicts. Livestock body condition is generally fair, but animal diseases persist. Cattle thefts and inter-community conflicts, exacerbated by cross-border insecurity, disrupt transhumance routes. Markets remain open but show significant price fluctuations, worsening terms of trade for herders, especially in Tchologo. Recommendations include strengthening security, promoting joint resource management, conflict prevention, and supporting pastoral community resilience.

Power, State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Marché, Transhumance

The article, written by Gado Alzouma, examines the global “war for talent” and Africa’s growing role in it. Faced with aging populations and declining birth rates, industrialized countries are stepping up efforts to attract highly skilled foreign workers. Africa, with a median age of 19.7 and rapid demographic growth, has become a strategic labor pool. The author highlights reforms in Germany, France, the UK, Canada, Japan, and others to ease the entry of African talent. While this trend creates opportunities, it also accelerates brain drain, weakening Africa’s competitiveness, research, and innovation capacity. The piece concludes that African nations must build strong economies and create attractive jobs to retain their best-trained citizens, or risk continuing to fuel the development of other regions instead of their own.

Migration, Youth, EMPLOYMENT

The article examines Africa’s emergence as a critical stage in the strategic rivalry between the United States and China. The July 2025 mini‑summit hosted by Trump with five African leaders signals renewed American interest in a continent traditionally influenced by Sino‑American competition and other global powers. Africa, rich in natural resources—minerals, hydrocarbons—and strategically positioned (Suez, Bab-el‑Mandeb, Djibouti), has become a prime arena of global “neo‑imperialism.” Beijing wields influence through infrastructure projects—roads, hospitals, railways—in exchange for resources, causing high debt levels. Meanwhile, under Trump, US diplomacy counteracts China’s expansion. The article highlights that Africa fits into the broader geostrategic competition in the Indo‑Pacific, with China emerging as a systemic rival to the US through technological advancement and escalating global influence.

Politics, Governance, Natural ressources, Influence, Diplomacy

The "Country Profile – Niger," published on July 17, 2025, by the PASAS platform, analyzes 335 references about Niger. The document is structured around six themes: governance, security and conflict, peace and mediation, education and gender, economic development, and environment. Governance is shaped by shifting regional alliances (AES, ECOWAS), anti-French sentiment, and a dominant military approach. The security section highlights Sahel-wide crises, border violence, jihadist groups, national armies, and self-defense militias. Peacebuilding discussions include community resilience, women’s involvement, and the revival of customary justice systems. Education, mental health, and gender issues are addressed with a strong focus on youth vulnerability. Lastly, environmental challenges are explored through themes like climate change, pastoralism, and artisanal gold mining, revealing a complex intersection of ecological and economic dynamics.

Politics, Political party, Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

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