The article entitled “Mali-Niger: climate change and conflicts form an explosive cocktail in the Sahel”, published by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 2019, analyzes the interaction between climate change and intercommunity conflicts in Mali and Niger. Global warming is exacerbating historic tensions between herders and farmers, particularly arable land and making water resources more unpredictable. This situation worsens poverty, weakens public services and disrupts traditional livelihoods. Local populations, already facing underdevelopment, crime and violence, are pushed into difficult choices, such as migration or joining armed groups, to meet their needs. The ICRC highlights the need for a radically different approach to tackling these complex challenges in the Sahel.

Migration, Climate change, Natural ressources, Conflict, Poverty

The article entitled "Nigeria: The climate crisis fuels conflicts and terrorism", written by Raphaël D. and published on the Mr Mondialisation website in January 2021, analyzes the impact of climate change on security in Nigeria. The country is experiencing increasing desertification, particularly in the north, involving arable land and pastures. This situation pushes nomadic herders to migrate south, leading to conflicts with local sedentary farmers. These tensions have reached a critical level of violence, causing as many casualties as the terrorist group Boko Haram. Climate disruption thus favors the development of terrorist groups, who take advantage of the instability to carry out deadly raids and pillaging, financing part of their operations through the sale of stolen livestock. Government measures, such as the National Livestock Transformation Plan, are taken into account for their inadequacy to the needs of breeders, exacerbating existing tensions.

Agriculture, Livestock, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Terrorism

The article explores the growing place of girls in Arab-Islamic education in Senegal and its impact on gender relations. Historically, this education system was dominated by boys, but since the 1990s, private and public initiatives have allowed for greater female inclusion. Arab-Islamic education is seen as a tool for social moralization and protection against negative influences. However, it also conveys rigid gender norms, with an emphasis on the training of girls as future wives and mothers. Despite these constraints, young girls invest in this educational space to achieve skills, strengthen their autonomy and sometimes even compete with men in religious and educational roles. Education thus becomes a space for negotiation between tradition and modernity, between control and female emancipation.

Politics, Political party, Power, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Religious education, Education, Family, Gold, Social

In the interview titled "Governments should start to realise that, in this part of the world, Africa, education is the most important area in which we can invest to develop any country...", published on November 12, 2024 on WATHI, Madun N. Marong, an Education Officer at the Gambia Ministry of Education, emphasizes the crucial importance of education in Africa. He outlines the teacher training programs in The Gambia, including the Diploma for primary school teachers and the Advanced Diploma for higher levels, both offered by the Gambia College, as well as the degree program provided by the University of The Gambia. Marong insists that African governments should allocate at least 20% of their budget to education, in line with United Nations recommendations, to ensure national development. He also highlights the need to recognize teachers as essential professionals and to provide them with adequate training to improve the quality of education.

Politics, Education, Politique publique

The article The gender quota as a government technique in Burkina Faso: between change of instruments and political inertia, written by Abdoul K. Saidou and published in Afrique Contemporaine (n°275, 2023/1), analyzes the application and the limits of the gender quota policy in Burkina Faso. Despite the adoption in 2009 of a law imposing a quota of 30% of female candidates in municipal and legislative elections, its impact has remained limited. The article highlights the political resistance and circumvention strategies put in place by the parties, in particular the effect of these quotas. The 2020 reform, which introduced new incentive instruments (such as a financial bonus for parties respecting quotas), did not allow for significant representation of women. The author thus underlines the political inertia and the systemic obstacles which slow down the effective application of this policy.

Politics, Political party, State, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Mediation, Election, Gold, Social

The article, titled "NATO and Security Challenges in the Saharo-Sahelian Region in the Era of New Geopolitical Realities," analyzes the growing security challenges in the Saharo-Sahelian region, including the proliferation of terrorist groups, arms and drug trafficking, and political instability. Author Rabah Aynaou examines NATO's potential role in this area, considering new geopolitical dynamics. He suggests that NATO strengthen its cooperation with regional countries and organizations to enhance security and stability. The article also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach, including economic and social development initiatives, to address the root causes of insecurity.

Governance, Security, Cooperation

This article explores the complex relationship between climate change and conflicts in the Sahel. Author Luca Raineri questions the often-assumed link between environmental degradation and the rise of terrorism in the region. Poorly designed programs, such as the Great Green Wall and anti-desertification measures, have sometimes worsened tensions by marginalizing local communities. Authoritarian environmental protection policies have enabled extremist groups to exploit local frustrations. The article advocates for inclusive approaches, based on nuanced socio-political analyses, to avoid ineffective one-size-fits-all policies. Participatory natural resource management is highlighted as a sustainable solution to mitigate conflicts and prevent terrorism.

Climate change, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Jihad, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat, Knowlege production

The article examines the complex situation in central Mali, where individuals posing as jihadists or traditional hunters (Dozos) exacerbate intercommunal tensions. Jihadists exploit the historical heritage of the Fulani to legitimize their presence, while non-Fulani militias disguise themselves as Dozos to justify actions against the Fulani. This dynamic increases polarization, trapping civilians between these armed groups. Stereotypes and amalgamations contribute to unjustified reprisals, fueling a cycle of violence that further undermines social cohesion and regional stability.

Conflict, Jihad

The article "Climate change and human migration in Senegal: an approach in terms of vulnerability of the socio-ecological system", produced by Alassane Diallo and published in the journal Régulation in 2019, examines the impact of climate change on internal migration in the Senegal. The study reveals that climate change, especially when it manifests itself gradually, is generally not a direct cause of human migrations. It interacts with various socio-economic, cultural, demographic, political-institutional and environmental contextual factors, thus exacerbating the initial vulnerability of populations and influencing migratory processes. The author suggests that public policies should address both development issues, by tackling poverty and inequalities, and issues linked to the climate economy, in particular the physical and climatic vulnerability of populations through mitigation and adaptation measures.

Governance, Climate change, Vulnerability