This Policy Brief examines the Sahel’s complex crisis, rooted in insecurity, poverty, marginalization, and weak governance. The author critiques military-centered strategies, particularly those led by the European Union, as misaligned with local needs and overly focused on migration control and counterterrorism. Mahssoun argues that such approaches deepen dependency and fail to resolve underlying causes. Instead, she advocates for an African-led response based on regional integration, South-South cooperation, and inclusive socio-economic programs. Initiatives such as the Liptako-Gourma Charter and the Atlantic Africa Initiative are highlighted as promising models, combining security measures with economic development, regional value chains, and community resilience. The recommendations emphasize investments in education, job creation, healthcare, and strategic infrastructure, while fostering local ownership and participation. This Pan-African approach seeks to provide a sustainable pathway to peace and development in the Sahel.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Peace, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Regional integration

This article examines South–South security cooperation in Africa through the case of the G5 Sahel. The authors argue that regional organisations, despite being guided by the mantra of “African solutions to African problems,” remain rigid, underfunded, and donor-dependent. In this context, ad hoc initiatives such as the G5 Sahel and the Accra Initiative have proliferated, appearing more flexible and context-sensitive. However, these often become “zombified” institutions shaped by external funding and donor agendas. The G5 Sahel exemplifies this paradox: while it failed to curb insecurity, it nonetheless fostered military cooperation and generated new forms of African agency. This “productive failure” illustrates how Sahelian states repurpose constraints into political opportunities, reassert sovereignty, and engage in new bilateral or regional arrangements, including the creation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

State, Economic Development, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Cooperation, Threat, Knowlege production

This article explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy among university students in Ghana and Nigeria, focusing on the affective, behavioral, cognitive, and ethical dimensions (ABCE framework). Based on a survey of 427 students, it demonstrates that motivation and self-efficacy (affective) positively influence knowledge and critical thinking (cognitive), mediated by collaboration (behavioral) and ethical awareness. Results reveal that country differences do not significantly affect these relationships, highlighting a shared underlying mechanism for AI literacy development in West Africa. The study emphasizes the need to strengthen motivation, promote collaborative learning, embed ethical reasoning in curricula, and contextualize pedagogies for local realities. It contributes original empirical evidence to global AI literacy debates by foregrounding West African contexts and offering practical strategies for integrating AI education in resource-constrained environments.

Economic Development, Religious education, Education, Development, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Information, EMPLOYMENT, Intelligence artificielle, Literacy

This article examines the trends and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Mali using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 2001 to 2018. Findings reveal persistently high anemia prevalence despite some fluctuations: a decrease between 2001 and 2006 followed by an increase in later years. Key associated factors include age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, rural versus urban residence, and number of children. The analysis highlights the strong influence of poverty and unequal access to healthcare in sustaining the problem. The authors recommend multisectoral interventions addressing nutrition, female education, and health service delivery improvements as crucial to reducing anemia and mitigating its adverse impact on maternal and child health.

Inequality, Gender, Natural ressources, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Women, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Santé publique

The article “Governance and Economic Development in West Africa: Linking Governance with Economic Misery” investigates the nexus between governance and economic development across West African countries. Using indicators such as political stability, government effectiveness, and corruption control, the authors evaluate governance performance in the region. Findings reveal that while Cape Verde, Ghana, and The Gambia achieve relatively positive scores, most countries suffer from institutional weaknesses. Mali is highlighted as a case of severe decline, driven by recurrent political and security crises. The study argues that poor governance significantly contributes to “economic misery” by exacerbating poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. The authors emphasize that strengthening domestic institutions—through transparency, accountability, and democratic participation—is essential for sustainable economic progress and social stability in West Africa.

State, Governance, Economic Development, Justice, Education, Development, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production, Institution

This article examines the use of artificial intelligence techniques to predict interstate armed conflicts in West Africa. Using a comprehensive dataset spanning 1981–2018 and covering 16 countries in the region, the authors tested three machine learning models: random forest, logistic regression, and decision tree. Findings indicate that the random forest model performs best (98% accuracy, 83% recall). The most relevant predictors of conflict are differences in democracy levels and shared borders, while military expenditures prove less influential. The study highlights elevated risks for certain dyads, such as Guinea–Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast–Burkina Faso. By demonstrating the effectiveness of predictive models, this research contributes to the development of early warning systems for conflict prevention. However, it also stresses the limitations due to data imbalance and the need for continuous updates to enhance forecasting accuracy.

State, Security, Peace, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Intelligence artificielle

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin on Niger (No. 64, June–July 2025), published by Action Against Hunger (ACF), highlights improved pastoral conditions due to above-average rainfall, which boosted pasture regeneration and water availability. Overall, fodder resources are considered medium to sufficient, and livestock body condition is mostly fair, with some improvement noted. Nevertheless, localized biomass deficits, water shortages in specific areas, increased livestock theft, and community conflicts over resources remain challenges. Market analysis shows declining livestock prices, slight increases in cereal prices, and unfavorable terms of trade for herders. The report concludes with recommendations to strengthen vaccination campaigns, promote peaceful transhumance, ensure availability of fodder and cereals, and enhance risk preparedness in pastoral areas. It stresses the importance of continued support from state institutions, civil society, and humanitarian actors to secure pastoral livelihoods.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Knowlege production, Information, Marché

The article “Future research directions for climate-sensitive social protection” examines the current limitations of social protection systems in addressing climate change impacts, with a focus on the Sahel. While vital for crisis mitigation, such programs face challenges of low coverage, weak integration of climate data, and limited resources. Based on a global review and a regional case study in the Sahel (notably Mauritania and Senegal), the paper argues that scaling up and adapting existing programs may be more effective than creating new ones. Two key research priorities are highlighted: improving climate risk assessments to better inform program design, and developing “dynamic social registries” that combine socio-economic and environmental data for targeted responses. The authors stress the need for longitudinal studies, systematic evaluations, and pragmatic approaches that link social protection, climate adaptation, and community resilience.

Climate change, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Protection

This study examines the sharp decline in under-five mortality in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2021, using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data and the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method. Findings indicate that under-five mortality dropped from 128 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 48 per 1,000 in 2021. The decline is mainly explained (77%) by performance effects, including behavioral changes and the effectiveness of health policies, while demographic composition changes accounted for only 23%. Key factors include the reduction in uneducated mothers, wider use of mosquito nets, urbanization, and improved health behaviors among unemployed women. Nevertheless, significant disparities remain in high-risk regions such as the Sahel and the Southwest, where targeted interventions are essential to improve healthcare access and reduce inequalities. The study highlights the importance of integrating health policies with education, economic development, and sanitation for sustained progress.

Politics, Economic Development, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Development, Family, Women, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Démographie, Santé publique