The pastoral surveillance bulletin for April–May 2025 in Mauritania, published by Action Against Hunger and its partners, reports a concerning situation as the lean season approaches. The degradation of natural pastures and drying of water points, particularly in eastern regions (Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi), are increasing pressure on pastoral resources. Transhumance movements have begun earlier and more intensely than usual, often hindered by land disputes and high livestock concentrations in certain zones. The body condition of livestock is generally fair, though some disease outbreaks have been reported. Market trends show rising prices for both livestock and staple foods, to the disadvantage of herders. Although the security context remains relatively stable, the food situation of pastoral households is increasingly fragile.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Civil Society, Marché

The February–March 2025 Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger, highlights key challenges for pastoralism in the Sahel. This transition period between the cold and hot dry seasons is characterized by the drying up of temporary water points and widespread bushfires that have reduced forage availability. Nevertheless, pasture remains generally sufficient. Seasonal transhumance movements are mainly downward, but abnormal or forced movements linked to insecurity are also reported. The body condition of livestock ranges from fair to satisfactory, although suspected disease outbreaks are noted. Cereal and livestock prices are mostly rising, but terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders in many areas. Livestock theft, limited market access, and the arrival of refugees are further complicating conditions in certain regions.

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

This country profile on Mauritania reviews political, security, economic, and social developments since 2020, focusing on the period under President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. It discusses attempts at democratic reform, ongoing challenges in tackling corruption, and the ambiguous stance on human rights. The document also highlights northern security tensions, refugee reintegration issues, and growing socio-economic inequalities. Additionally, it provides insight into the country's natural resources (gold, iron, gas), pastoralism, and environmental concerns. Finally, the profile emphasizes Mauritania’s complex geopolitical position, straddling North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Education, Gold, Human security

The article “Crises and Knowledge Production: A State of Universities in the Sahel”, published by WATHI on June 26, 2024, highlights how political instability, terrorism, and chronic underfunding have severely weakened universities in the Sahel. These institutions suffer from repeated strikes, staff emigration, reduced budgets, and a lack of connection between academic research and policymaking. Yet, universities hold critical potential to understand and address crises through interdisciplinary research. However, a major gap persists between academic outputs and their integration into decision-making processes. The article calls for a shift: universities should be recognized as strategic centers for crisis analysis. It recommends enhanced investment in local research, stronger collaboration between scholars and policymakers, and efforts to ensure that knowledge production informs public policy and societal needs.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Social, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

In this article published by WATHI, Said Djinnit, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, and El-Ghassim Wane emphasize the critical historical turning point Africa is facing amid global geopolitical shifts. Drawing inspiration from Salim Ahmed Salim’s visionary 1990 report, the authors call for a unified, strategic response. Despite significant political, legal, and economic frameworks (Agenda 2063, AfCFTA, peace and governance instruments), the gap between normative ambition and implementation remains troubling. The weakening of multilateralism, declining development aid, and Africa’s growing marginalization highlight the urgency of rethinking African political action around the effective execution of its commitments. The authors advocate for a new founding report—initiated by the African Union—that mobilizes all sectors of society and provides a clear, ambitious, and actionable vision for the continent’s future. The time for bold, unified leadership and concrete delivery is now.

Governance, International cooperation

This monitoring bulletin, published in April 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF), evaluates micro-enterprises supported in the moughataa of Bassikounou, Mauritania, under a project for the socioeconomic inclusion of Malian refugees and host communities. The report highlights slight improvements in profitability, particularly in agriculture and crafts, but also reveals entrepreneurs' heavy reliance on external aid, limited access to formal financing, and persistent economic fragility. Key challenges include high costs and scarcity of raw materials, limited use of management tools, and underdeveloped local financial mechanisms. The bulletin recommends strengthening personalized support, structuring community financing systems, and building local partnerships. It also suggests innovative strategies such as resilience funds and collective input purchasing to improve sustainability and autonomy.

Power, Agriculture, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding

This multi-country study examines Education in Emergencies (EiE) across six Sahel countries facing security, humanitarian, and health crises. Based on document reviews and 209 field interviews, it highlights how displaced children face restricted access to quality education and a weakened educational system. EiE funding is inadequate, fragmented, and largely driven by humanitarian actors, with little institutional coordination. The study recommends leveraging best practices (multigrade teaching, e-learning), establishing national EiE coordination agencies, engaging local communities and diasporas through a Trust Fund, and scaling up the integrated territorial approach tested in Niger. Strengthening the capacity of both public and community actors is critical. The report calls for improved governance, structured financing mechanisms, and more systematic emergency education responses to ensure long-term educational resilience in crisis contexts.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Crisis, Funding

This report explores the rise, evolution, and fragmentation of armed extremist groups in the Sahel—AQIM, MUJAO, JNIM, and ISGS. It outlines the root causes of their proliferation: weak state presence, social marginalization, environmental pressures, geopolitical interference, and security vacuums. The analysis reveals how these groups adapt strategically, build local ties, and exploit state fragility. The fall of Libya, successive coups, and the withdrawal of international actors (France, the UN) have reshaped the security environment. The report advocates a multidimensional response: inclusive governance, socio-economic investment, stronger regional cooperation, and engagement of traditional leaders. It highlights the growing threat of violence spilling over into West African coastal states and calls for locally rooted, tailored strategies to achieve sustainable peace and resilience in the region.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Threat

In 2024, Africa experienced unprecedented flooding across 27 countries, affecting over 11 million people, causing 2,500 deaths, and displacing 4 million. The most severely affected countries included Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Sudan, and South Sudan. These extreme events, intensified by climate change and El Niño, are becoming more frequent. The report emphasizes that governance is a key factor in vulnerability: the most affected countries are largely categorized as “not free,” with limited disaster response capacity. Poor infrastructure, weak institutional preparedness, and corruption have worsened the impact. The article calls for stronger climate resilience through improved governance, risk prevention policies, and early warning systems. It also links state fragility to environmental shocks and stresses the need for integrated solutions to address compounding humanitarian and climate-related crises.

Power, State, Governance, Natural ressources, Conflict, Education, Gold, Poverty, Threat, Civil Society