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

The study conducted from July 2020 to June 2022 as part of the RESILAC project analyzes individual strategies and collective dynamics influencing mental health and socioeconomic integration of youth in the Lake Chad Basin. It provides an overview of mental health systems in four countries, identifies emerging mental disorders and profiles of individuals in psychological distress, and examines endogenous mechanisms for addressing mental health issues and trauma. The study aims to produce operational knowledge to sustainably improve interventions for youth affected by conflicts in this region.

Governance, Youth, Santé mentale

This article explores state formation in the Sahel through the prism of Charles Tilly’s “warmongering” model, with a focus on the war on terror and its impacts. Focusing on Burkina Faso, it shows a dual dynamic: on the one hand, war strengthens coercive capacities and revives the national project; on the other hand, it weakens the state through its patrimonialization and hybridization. The Sahelian context partly confirms Tilly’s theories, but also reveals a distinct state, which moves away from the ideal Weberian model. International security policies and the management of self-defense groups contribute to this complexity, exposing the state to internal and external challenges. Finally, if war accelerates state formation, it also exacerbates sociopolitical tensions and administrative informality.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Threat

The ILO report examines the role of decent work in fostering peace and resilience in the Sahel, aligning with the G5 Sahel's Integrated Priority Action Framework (CAPI). It highlights major challenges, such as inequalities, competition over natural resources, and weak state functions fueling conflicts. The ILO approach offers solutions based on decent job creation, social dialogue, and inclusive local governance. Recommendations include leveraging local resources, supporting essential infrastructure, and implementing programs promoting social cohesion and crisis resilience. This report contributes to sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.

Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Education, Mediation, Gold, Social, Dialogue, EMPLOYMENT

Jabir Touré's article, published in the Revue internationale des francophonies, examines the efforts of French-speaking Sahel countries in combating terrorism, focusing on the G5 Sahel. Established in 2014 by Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Chad, the G5 Sahel is an intergovernmental organization aiming to enhance security and development in the region. Despite international support, notably from France through Operation Barkhane, and the creation of Task Force Takuba in 2020, the G5 Sahel joint force struggles to reach full operational capacity. Terrorist groups like the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) have expanded their influence, making 2019 particularly deadly. However, since the Pau Summit in January 2020, improved coordination between national forces and their partners has partially reversed the balance of power on the ground.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold

The article from the Revue internationale des francophonies examines the importance of social bonds between peacekeeping forces and civilian populations, focusing on MINUSMA in Mali. It highlights that traditional peacekeeping operations, centered on aspects such as ceasefire monitoring and population protection, often fail due to the lack of meaningful social interactions with local communities. The author proposes an alternative approach focused on strengthening social bonds, including proficiency in the local language, humanitarian aid, cultural heritage protection, promotion of intercommunity dialogue, and participation in sports and cultural activities. This strategy aims to establish lasting peace by actively involving civilian populations in the stabilization process.

State, Natural ressources, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Gold, Social, Threat, Civil Society, Crisis

The Groupe URD (2023) article analyses the obstacles hindering access to reproductive health care for Chadian adolescent girls. Health infrastructure, often dilapidated and poorly located, discourages its use by young people. Social norms and suspicions surrounding premarital sexuality dissuade adolescent girls from seeking contraceptive services, for fear of being stigmatized. The rate of contraceptive use remains low, with only 8 to 9% of women of reproductive age using it. Early pregnancies are common, partly due to child marriage. Illegal abortions, often carried out in unsafe conditions, lead to serious complications. Gender-based violence is widespread, with one in three women having suffered physical violence since the age of 15. The HIV prevalence rate is 1.2%, with HIV positivity higher among women, particularly adolescent girls.

Governance, Gender, Education, Health

The article, titled “Nigeria’s Unhappy Union: How Rising Insecurity Threatens the Country’s Future,” examines the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria. It highlights that recent attacks, such as the one on the police headquarters and a prison in Imo State, illustrate the state’s loss of control over violence. The authors identify several factors contributing to this instability, including the rise of secessionist movements, food insecurity, high unemployment, and endemic corruption. They warn of the risks of national disintegration unless urgent measures are taken to strengthen governance and address the socio-economic needs of the population.

Governance, Agriculture, Livestock, Conflict, Jihad, Poverty, Insécurité

The article highlights the need for an integrated approach combining security and development to stabilize the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad. It highlights the region's growth potential, threatened by growing insecurity and a rapidly expanding population. Experts reject pessimistic outlooks, arguing that investments in peace and development would be cheaper than managing the consequences of a protracted crisis. They call for collaboration between researchers, diplomats, the military, humanitarians and development actors to define effective responses. The article also highlights the changing patterns of violence in West Africa, with the emergence of electoral conflicts, armed insurgencies and banditry, often linked to drug trafficking, arms trafficking and religious extremism.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Development