Food insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel stems from structural issues aggravated by conflict, political instability, climate shocks, and underinvestment in agriculture. In 2023, an estimated 86.5 million people face food insecurity, despite a regional cereal output of 76 million tons. A healthy diet remains unaffordable for most due to high food prices and poor dietary diversity. Current responses—such as PREGEC, the Harmonized Framework, school feeding programs, and cash transfers—are commendable but inadequate in scope. Efforts are needed to modernize agriculture, improve infrastructure, enhance regional cooperation, and diversify funding sources. Market dynamics, low use of improved inputs, and heavy reliance on imports hinder food sovereignty. The report advocates for systemic, integrated governance, support to local producers, and more resilient agricultural systems to ensure nutrition security and sustainable development.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh

This Policy Brief analyzes how population displacements have accelerated urbanization in secondary cities across the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These cities, already marked by infrastructural shortcomings, face mounting pressure on housing, land use, and basic services. The massive influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reshapes social dynamics, especially gender roles, with displaced women often becoming heads of households under precarious conditions. “Non-loti” areas—informal settlements—emerge as default reception zones despite lacking infrastructure. Displaced populations are sometimes viewed with suspicion and associated with security threats. The study urges moving beyond institutional categories and quantitative data, advocating for deeper exploration of “practical norms” that govern urban life. It calls for empirical research to guide inclusive urban planning and better integration of displaced communities in fragile Sahelian contexts.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Education, Threat, Urbanisation, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Internally displaced persons

The infographic “Are Mobile Public Services a Solution for the Sahel?” summarizes a multi-country study conducted in Fada N’Gourma (Burkina Faso), Gao (Mali), and Hodh El Chargui (Mauritania). The research explores the challenges faced by underserved or excluded populations in accessing public services due to geographical, economic, structural, cultural, and psychological distances. The study reveals limited public service coverage in peripheral areas, heightened mistrust of the state under insecurity, but also a widespread demand for its return. Promising local innovations include multi-service market hubs, rural FM radio stations, and a decentralized infrastructure failure alert system. While critiques often target frontline agents, the state itself remains a symbol of legitimate authority. The study combines mapping, 441 interviews, and 21 focus groups in 22 localities across the three countries.

Power, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Public Administration, Human security, Social, Customs

As the October 2025 presidential election approaches, Côte d’Ivoire faces escalating political tensions. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, though yet to confirm his candidacy, is expected to seek a fourth term. The opposition, represented by the PDCI's Tidjane Thiam and PPA-CI's Laurent Gbagbo, faces legal and political hurdles, including nationality controversies and judicial convictions. The Independent Electoral Commission is criticized for lacking transparency, intensifying tensions. The political climate is further strained by enduring identity fractures and strained relations with neighboring Sahel countries. The article emphasizes the urgent need for institutional reforms and inclusive dialogue to prevent a relapse into instability

Politics, Governance, Election, Instabilité

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania for February-March 2025 reports an overall satisfactory situation despite a decline in pastoral resources due to bushfires and increased livestock pressure, particularly in Hodh Chargui. Grazing resources remain generally available, and livestock body condition is good. However, suspected outbreaks of animal diseases, including peste des petits ruminants and foot-and-mouth disease, are reported. The bulletin also highlights the ongoing arrival of Malian refugees, increasing strain on resources and infrastructure. Market assessments show variable commodity prices, with unfavorable terms of trade for herders in certain areas. Support actions such as livestock e-tagging have been implemented. Recommendations emphasize strengthening resilience, improving animal health awareness, and mitigating potential conflicts in agropastoral zones.

State, Economic Development, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Human security, Information, Marché

This report presents the outcomes of a regional forum held in Dakar in November 2020, aimed at analyzing responses to violent extremism in the Sahel. It highlights the root causes of insecurity: poor governance, lack of basic services, social exclusion, and state-perpetrated violence. Four panels addressed the rule of law, institutional responses, human rights abuses, and peacebuilding. Recommendations emphasize the need for a holistic approach combining social justice, human security, and the active participation of women and youth. The report calls for institutional reform, acknowledgment of societal pluralism, and deeper community involvement in counter-radicalization efforts.

Governance, Security, Extremism, Human security, Violence, Radicalisation, Rule of law

This panel, organized by Afrikajom Center in Dakar, brought together intellectuals, researchers, and civil society actors to examine the resurgence of military coups in West Africa. Discussions highlighted the failure of democratic transitions, the decline of the Baule model, widespread corruption, constitutional manipulation, and the perceived illegitimacy of ECOWAS. Speakers, including Gilles Yabi, Ndioro Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed the importance of military ethics, geopolitical shifts, and the weakening of rule of law and political representation. The debate underscored citizens’ growing support for military takeovers in contexts where civilian governments fail. Recommendations emphasized the need for endogenous reforms, strict term limits, strengthened democratic institutions, and the inclusion of civil society in regional governance frameworks. The event concluded with a call for bold, culturally rooted actions to address West Africa’s democratic and security crises.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Réforme, Coup d'État

Since April 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has led to the mass displacement of civilians into eastern Chad. This report, published by SIPRI in partnership with BUCOFORE, is based on perception surveys, qualitative interviews, and focus group discussions held in four refugee camps. It explores the lived experiences of displaced Sudanese women and girls, who face significant barriers to accessing food, reproductive health services, water, sanitation, and safety. The report highlights the chronic underfunding of humanitarian responses and the lack of gender-sensitive aid, both of which heighten the risks of gender-based violence. It offers concrete recommendations to policymakers, humanitarian organizations, and donors to improve the protection and support provided to refugee women and girls.

Human Rights, Women, Violence, refugee, Déplacement forcé, Crise humanitaire

In this podcast, Pape Abdou Ndour discusses the length of presidential terms in Africa, responding to a question about the appropriateness of 4- or 5-year terms. He emphasizes that the issue lies not in the term length itself but in the lack of genuine democratic practices, despite constitutions that proclaim democratic principles. Ndour critiques narratives that blame democracy's failure on its supposedly imported nature, noting that countries like Guinea have only experienced authoritarian regimes since independence. He asserts that principles of accountability and human rights are not exclusively Western. Rather than debating democracy's origins, he advocates focusing on necessary institutional reforms to establish a true democracy tailored to African contexts.

Governance, Election, Presidential term limits, Accountability