The policy brief "Possible Approaches to Address Deteriorating France-Africa Relations" explores the decline in relations between France and several African countries, particularly in the Sahel. These tensions stem from paternalistic policies and the colonial legacy, exacerbated by recent crises, such as the expulsion of ambassadors and the withdrawal of French troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The article advocates breaking away from variable-geometry diplomacy and securitized approaches while promoting a decolonial perspective on bilateral relations. It highlights the need to reform diplomatic practices, support local citizen movements, and implement inclusive policies to rebuild trust. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of repatriating cultural artifacts and fully acknowledging the colonial legacy.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Cooperation, Dialogue, Information

Le policy brief "Approches possibles pour améliorer les relations France-Afrique" examine la dégradation des relations entre la France et plusieurs pays africains, notamment au Sahel. Ces tensions découlent de politiques paternalistes et de l’héritage colonial, aggravés par des crises récentes comme les expulsions d’ambassadeurs et le retrait des troupes françaises de pays comme le Mali, le Burkina Faso et le Niger. L'article recommande de rompre avec la diplomatie à géométrie variable et les approches sécuritaires, tout en promouvant une vision décoloniale des relations bilatérales. Il met en avant la nécessité de réformer les pratiques diplomatiques, de soutenir les mouvements citoyens locaux, et d’engager des politiques inclusives pour restaurer la confiance. Enfin, il souligne l'importance de restituer les œuvres culturelles et de reconnaître pleinement l'héritage colonial.

Power, State, Security, Conflict, Human security, Influence, Cooperation, Threat, Dialogue, Information

The IFRI article (September 2022) examines the increasing fragility of African states, particularly in the Sahel, marked by hybrid governance where the state shares or even relinquishes its sovereign functions to non-state actors. This situation stems from the state's declining prominence in providing essential public services, such as education and security, now managed by private or community organizations. This involuntary delegation reflects a "de-administration" of peripheral and rural areas, indicating the state's inability to maintain authority across its entire territory. The article highlights the implications of this hybrid governance for development actors, especially those involved in state reconstruction, and calls for a thorough reflection on strategies to strengthen state presence and effectiveness in these regions.

Governance, Services publics

The article "The Democratic Backslide in West Africa" examines the regression of democratic processes in this region, once considered a model of democratization. It highlights the resurgence of military coups, notably in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which undermine political stability. Simultaneously, human rights violations are increasing, with heightened repression of dissenting voices, media censorship, and arbitrary detentions, eroding fundamental freedoms. The article sheds light on the formation of informal alliances among authoritarian leaders, fostering the perpetuation of anti-democratic practices. This situation echoes post-independence periods marked by chronic political instability. The author calls for a deep reflection on mechanisms for democratic consolidation to reverse this concerning trend.

Governance, Democracy, Human Rights, Coup d'État, Instabilité

The article "Human Rights in Africa" features an interview with Alioune Tine, founder of Afrikajom Center, assessing the state of human rights on the continent. He highlights that the situation is particularly dire in conflict-affected countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where human rights violations are rampant and often committed with impunity, including by national and foreign military forces. Tine also criticizes the weakness of regional mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as the inefficacy of national institutions in countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, where fundamental freedoms are under threat. He calls for strengthening democratic institutions, respecting constitutions, and better involvement of civil society to promote and protect human rights in Africa.

Conflict, Human Rights, Impunity

The article “Pastoralism and Security in West Africa and the Sahel” examines the causes of pastoralism-related conflicts in six countries: Mauritania, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. It highlights the importance of pastoralism in these nations, while noting that the scale and dynamics of conflicts vary across national contexts. State policies and local practices toward different elevations also differ. The study recommends raising awareness of land laws, encouraging land rotation between farmers and herders, increasing investment in the livestock and agriculture sectors, and protecting local vegetation. It emphasizes the need for sustainable and inclusive solutions, both at the national and regional levels, to resolve these conflicts.

Pastoralism, Security, Conflict

The infographic maps civil societies in the Sahel, distinguishing eight ecosystems (citizenship, development aid, charity, trade union, cultural, humanitarian, local associations, religious). It analyzes their varied dynamics according to the countries and proposes ways to adapt support for local development, by integrating socio-political contexts, social proximity and sustainability.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Development, Gold, Social, Civil Society

The report by the Citizen Coalition for the Sahel, published in June 2022, assesses the evolution of the situation in the central Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It highlights an 18% increase in civilian deaths between April 2021 and March 2022, with 2,901 recorded victims. Armed extremist groups are responsible for 58% of these deaths, while defense and security forces are implicated in 27% of the cases. The Coalition recommends placing civilian protection at the heart of strategies, ensuring adequate humanitarian funding, promoting political dialogue, and combating impunity. It emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes peacebuilding, access to basic services, and governance reform to effectively address the Sahel crisis.

Politics, Extremism, Dialogue, Groupes armés, Impunity

This article explores the integration of seasonal climate forecasts into adaptive social protection (ASP) systems in the Sahel. The authors emphasize that communities in the region heavily rely on seasonal rainfall for their livelihoods. By combining climate forecasts with livelihood information, actions can be triggered ahead of shocks, reducing the time needed for needs assessments before delivering a response. The World Bank's Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Programme (SASPP) is highlighted as a major initiative aimed at building resilience among populations facing climate hazards. Mauritania, as one of the six countries targeted by the SASPP, actively participates in this initiative by implementing adaptive social protection systems to help vulnerable populations better cope with climate shocks. The article also identifies challenges, including the variability in the quality of climate forecasts and the difficulty of integrating these forecasts into existing early warning systems. The authors recommend enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, improved understanding of climate impacts on livelihoods, and sustained investment in climate research and services.

Climate change, Food security, Adaptive social protection