On the occasion of ECOWAS's 50th anniversary, West African leaders meet in Lagos amid regional turmoil marked by insecurity, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, declining international aid, and stricter U.S. tariffs. Analysts Jean-Claude Felix-Tchicaya (IPSE), Gilles Yabi (WATHI), and France 24’s Moise Gomis examine the crisis facing the bloc. ECOWAS's influence is waning, and its credibility is challenged due to inconsistent responses to military coups and a perceived disconnect from citizens’ needs. The panel stresses the urgency of redefining ECOWAS’s purpose, focusing on regional security, cooperation, and socioeconomic development. To remain relevant, the organization must propose a coherent, inclusive vision that resonates with member states and their populations.

Governance, Security, Democracy, Diplomacy, Crisis, Coopération régionale

This Policy Brief explores Senegal’s role in mediating the crisis between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after their withdrawal from ECOWAS. Drawing on its diplomatic tradition and neutrality, Senegal, under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been appointed as a facilitator. While Senegal officially promotes the AES’s return to ECOWAS, its emissary's statements suggest a more nuanced stance. The brief analyzes issues of regional integration, governance, security cooperation, and sovereignty. It highlights the need for realistic mediation, one that acknowledges the AES states’ security concerns while preserving ECOWAS’s democratic and economic frameworks. The document also emphasizes the regional consequences of the split, including economic fragmentation and weakened security cooperation, urging Senegal to play a strategic and balanced role.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Conflict, Gold, Human security, Diplomacy, Crisis

The article analyzes the escalating tensions between Mali and Algeria, highlighted by the March 31, 2025 incident where a Malian drone was shot down by the Algerian army in Tinzawatene. This border area, historically sensitive, has become a focal point of strategic rivalries, especially following the withdrawal of MINUSMA and Mali's recapture of Kidal. Mali has reclassified former rebel groups, once partners in the Algiers Accord, as terrorist organizations, signaling a break in the peace process. Algeria, mediator of the accord, views these actions as a marginalization of its role and a threat to its security, particularly as Russia expands its influence in Mali. Tinzawatene thus symbolizes a new diplomatic and security fracture, challenging regional balances and cross-border cooperation.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Crisis management, Diplomacy, International cooperation

This study, conducted by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the evolution of the jihadist threat in northern Ghana and Togo. It highlights the expansion of terrorist groups towards the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, facilitated by the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali. The study examines the varying levels of threat in these West African countries and emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental approaches to counter jihadist terrorism. It is based on field research conducted by local teams and Promediation consultants in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Cooperation, International cooperation

In this interview, Dr. Sarr emphasizes that the main political priority for Senegal's next president should be to re-establish dialogue and restore citizens' trust in institutions. He highlights the importance of continuous dialogue between the government and the opposition, even outside electoral periods, to strengthen democracy and ensure national stability. Dr. Sarr also underscores the need to heed the aspirations of the youth, who constitute approximately 65 to 70% of Senegal's population, and to involve them more actively in nation-building. He addresses critical challenges such as youth unemployment, reforming the education system, combating inflation, managing clandestine immigration, and improving the healthcare system. Finally, he calls for a reassessment of Senegal's hyper-presidential political system to achieve a better balance of power and greater autonomy for judicial and legislative institutions.

Youth, Election, Dialogue, Institution, Hyperprésidentialisme

This article examines the intersection between the politics of regionalism and security politics by analyzing the recent reorganization of regions. It explores how political communities are transforming into security regions, focusing on the political and security dynamics that influence these transformations. The study highlights the key factors contributing to this evolution and analyzes the implications for regional governance and international cooperation. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with this transformation of regional structures.

Politics, Governance, Security, Cooperation, Coopération régionale

This article analyzes the ongoing democratic transition in Chad following the death of President Idriss Déby in 2021. While his son, Mahamat Déby, took power by circumventing the Constitution, the international community largely supported this succession, notably France, the European Union, and the United States. Despite peace agreements and a national dialogue, the transition has been marked by electoral reports and violence, such as the repression of the October 2022 protests. The author criticizes the complacency of international partners in the face of this political dynasty and emphasizes the urgent need for increasing diplomatic pressure. The opposition and certain rebel groups remain excluded from the process, making true democratization unlikely.

Politics, State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Mediation, Election, Gold, Dialogue, Transition

The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a statement titled "Humanitarian Emergency: Funding Shortfall Jeopardizes WFP Food Assistance for Millions in the Central Sahel and Nigeria" on March 7, 2025. The article emphasizes that, without urgent funding, WFP will be forced to suspend its essential food and nutrition assistance in critical regions such as the Central Sahel and Nigeria as early as April 2025. This comes as the lean season, a time when food insecurity is at its peak, approaches. This suspension will affect approximately 2 million people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, as well as internally displaced populations and vulnerable families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. To maintain its assistance over the next six months, WFP urgently requires $620 million. Margot van der Velden, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, expressed concern about the reduction in international aid, calling on the global community to step up its support to prevent a worsening of the food crisis in these regions.

Governance, Food security, Cooperation, Politique publique

This article analyzes the security crisis in central Mali, considered the epicenter of the Sahel crisis. Historically marked by tensions over resources and intercommunity relations, this territory has seen these conflicts worsen with the retreat of the state and the establishment of jihadist groups, notably Amadou Koufa's Katiba Macina. The 2013 military intervention brought only a temporary respite, and since 2015, the jihadists have strengthened their control, capitalizing on the state's weakness and popular discontent. The debate over the advisability of dialogue between the Malian authorities and the jihadists is complex: while it could lead to a reduction in violence, it also risks legitimizing these groups and exacerbating intercommunity tensions. The article highlights the need to rebuild the state and social cohesion to prevent these groups from establishing themselves as a political and social alternative.

Security, Jihad, Dialogue