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

The Girls Not Brides report “Knowledge is Power” presents research led by young people in Burkina Faso and Niger, exploring power dynamics in knowledge and advocacy processes to end child marriage and promote girls’ education in West Africa. The young researchers highlighted the impact of patriarchal social norms, poverty and the quality of the educational environment on early marriage and girls’ school dropout. The report recommends promoting successful female role models, using information technology to change dominant narratives, and improving access to quality, inclusive and culturally relevant education.

Gender, Education, Women

The article highlights the urgency of establishing inclusive development in the Sahel and West Africa to counter the growing destabilization of the region. The author, drawing on her humanitarian experience, highlights local initiatives led by authorities, community leaders, women's and youth associations, particularly in the areas of education and training. However, she deplores the fact that current political decisions neglect the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, thus exacerbating their precariousness. She calls for collective mobilization to build productive, supportive and dignified African societies, rather than constantly recovering from repeated crises.

Education, Development, Women, Vulnerability

The Royal Atlantic Initiative, announced by King Mohammed VI on November 6, 2023, aims to provide landlocked Sahelian countries—Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad—with access to the Atlantic Ocean via the port of Dakhla. This project allows Morocco to strengthen its sovereignty over Western Sahara, while offering Sahelian states an economic alternative to their isolation, which has been accentuated by ECOWAS sanctions following coups d’état. However, logistical and territorial challenges remain, including the lack of common borders between Morocco and these countries, requiring the cooperation of Mauritania, which remains cautious about its involvement.

Sovereignty, Governance

The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA) paper highlights increasing attacks on education in the Central Sahel, including in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, between 2015 and 2019. These attacks, often perpetrated by armed groups opposed to French-language education, include the burning and looting of schools, as well as threats, kidnappings, or killings of teachers. State and non-state forces have also used schools for military purposes, exacerbating insecurity. GCPEA recommends measures to protect education, such as implementing the Safe Schools Declaration, prosecuting those responsible for attacks, and implementing education programs that are tailored to local contexts.

Governance, Education, Military activity, Protection