The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania No. 36 examines agropastoral conditions during October–November 2025, a transition period between the rainy season and the dry season. Overall, pasture availability remains satisfactory in monitored areas (Hodh Chargui, Guidimakha, Brakna, and Gorgol), despite the gradual drying up of temporary water sources and an increase in bushfires, which threaten rangeland sustainability. Livestock body condition is generally good, although suspected animal diseases persist, prompting the launch of the 2025–2026 national livestock vaccination campaign. Markets remain supplied, but high cereal prices continue to limit favorable terms of trade for pastoral households. The bulletin also highlights growing pressure linked to the continuous arrival of Malian refugees, particularly in eastern Mauritania, increasing competition over natural resources and heightening the risk of social tensions.

State, Economic Development, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Knowlege production, water

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Northern Côte d’Ivoire (August–September 2025) assesses pastoral conditions in the Bounkani and Tchologo regions during the rainy season. It highlights a generally favorable availability of pasture and water resources, supported by regular rainfall, although localized shortages persist in areas such as Diawala, Nafana, and Youndouo. Overall animal health is considered satisfactory, despite isolated disease outbreaks in zones with high livestock concentration. The bulletin also points to a fragile security context, characterized by recurrent cattle theft and localized incidents, particularly in Bounkani. The influx of refugees from Ghana increases pressure on natural resources and heightens the risk of social tensions. From an economic perspective, markets remain accessible, but terms of trade deteriorate in Bounkani, indicating a decline in pastoral purchasing power. The report calls for strengthened community monitoring, improved animal health surveillance, and enhanced cross-border coordination to anticipate emerging risks.

Power, State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin No. 27 assesses pastoral conditions in Burkina Faso during August–September 2025, the peak of the rainy season. Based on field surveys and satellite data, the report highlights generally good availability of pasture and water resources, with vegetation cover ranging from 60% to 90%. Livestock mobility is reduced, and animal concentrations are moderate to high, particularly around agricultural areas. However, regional disparities remain, with localized shortages of pasture and water in parts of western and central Burkina Faso. Although cereal prices declined slightly and livestock prices improved marginally, terms of trade continue to be unfavorable for herders. The bulletin also reports persistent cattle theft and localized conflicts, especially in border areas. Overall, pastoral conditions have improved compared to the previous period, but the report emphasizes the need to strengthen pastoral resilience, improve conflict prevention mechanisms, and enhance support to pastoral communities.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

This regional report by Action Against Hunger assesses vegetation biomass production in the Sahel during the 2025 growing season using satellite imagery and climatic data. It finds that the 2025 rainy season was generally normal to above average across Sahelian countries, resulting in good to very good biomass production, exceeding the 25-year average, though remaining below the exceptional levels observed in 2024. Central Sahel areas, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, recorded significant positive anomalies, while localized deficits persist in western Senegal, south-western Mauritania and the Lake Chad basin. In coastal countries, biomass production remains below average despite slight improvement compared to 2024. The report indicates that pastoral vulnerability for the 2026 dry season is generally low; however, insecurity, restrictions on transhumant movements and livestock concentration significantly constrain access to grazing resources, increasing the risk of early and difficult pastoral lean periods in several zones.

Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Knowlege production, water

The article assesses progress and remaining challenges in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic framework aimed at building an integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and globally influential Africa by 2063. Organized around seven core aspirations, the Agenda is operationalized through ten-year implementation plans and flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Single African Air Transport Market, the African passport, and a continental high-speed rail network. The first ten-year plan (2014-2023) indicates that Africa has achieved slightly more than half of its targets, particularly in infrastructure development, economic integration, digital connectivity, and visa reforms. However, significant obstacles remain, including persistent financing gaps, uneven national implementation, regional insecurity, and limited institutional capacity. The article emphasizes that the long-term success of Agenda 2063 depends on stronger domestic resource mobilization, improved governance, and, critically, greater ownership by African citizens and the diaspora.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Development, Gold, Human security, water

Issue 34 of the Sahel Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin highlights an overall improvement in pastoral conditions across the region during August–September 2025. Pasture and water availability is generally satisfactory, contributing to good livestock body condition. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with some areas experiencing low vegetation cover while others face excess water and flooding risks. Livestock markets are mostly accessible, yet rising animal prices combined with fluctuating cereal prices continue to negatively affect terms of trade for pastoralists in several locations. From a health perspective, outbreaks of animal and human diseases have been reported, requiring increased monitoring. Security conditions remain fragile in parts of the region, marked by recurrent livestock theft and increased pressure on pastoral resources due to the presence of displaced and refugee populations.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Health, Information, Marché, water

The report describes a structured child-trafficking system moving children from Guinea-Bissau to Senegal, where they are forced to beg under the guise of religious education. Historically, talibés travelled to Senegal to study the Qur’an, supported by community almsgiving. However, since the 1970s, poverty, drought, and urban migration have turned this tradition into widespread exploitation. Marabouts now recruit children from vulnerable families—often through deception—and smuggle them across porous borders. Once in Senegal, children live in overcrowded, unsafe shelters and must deliver daily quotas of money. Forced begging has become a profitable criminal activity, linked to money laundering through the cashew and charcoal trade. While Senegal and Guinea-Bissau have ratified international conventions and adopted anti-trafficking laws, enforcement remains weak due to limited resources, strong cultural tolerance, and well-organized trafficking networks.

Security, Poverty, Human Rights, Vulnerability, Insécurité, Enfant, Trafic

The Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin for Niger (August–September 2025) highlights an overall positive outlook for herders. Favorable rainfall significantly improved pasture and water availability, resulting in good livestock body condition. Livestock prices rose while cereal prices declined, improving the terms of trade for pastoral households.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Senegal (August–September 2025), published by Action Against Hunger (ACF), assesses pasture and livestock conditions amid delayed and uneven rainfall. Pastoral zones in the north and centre (Ferlo, Louga, Matam) face significant forage stress, prompting early livestock movements southward and into neighbouring countries. Animal body condition is average, yet low milk production and rising feed costs are undermining household livelihoods. Livestock markets remain active but show stagnant prices. ACF calls for targeted assistance (fodder, water, veterinary care) and stronger coordination among humanitarian actors before the critical lean season expected by December 2025.

Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Gold, Human security, Researh, Knowlege production, Marché, Transhumance, water