This report investigates mental health challenges in crisis-affected contexts in Mali, Mauritania, and Chad. It highlights the impact of violence, poverty, gender inequalities, and forced displacement on mental well-being. The study explores the history of psychiatry, public policies, key actors, and presents field research in each country. Findings reveal a high prevalence of mental disorders (depression, psychosis, PTSD), a severe lack of infrastructure and trained personnel, and a weak integration between traditional and modern care. The report recommends strengthening national mental health systems, combating stigma, supporting community-based care, and aligning humanitarian interventions with local culture and psychosocial needs as part of resilience-building strategies.

Migration, Gender, Political Violence, Education, Violence, Customs, Threat, refugee, Researh, Knowlege production, Santé mentale

The article titled “Financing and Transforming Agriculture in the Sahel and West Africa”, written by Dr. Maman-Lawal Bagoudou Mossi, addresses the structural challenges of agriculture, especially in Niger. Structural adjustment programs in the 1980s led to the withdrawal of the state from productive sectors, dismantling support systems for farmers and limiting access to credit. This disengagement increased dependency on imports and worsened trade imbalances. Commercial banks, ill-suited for the realities of agriculture, created a gap filled by the Agricultural Bank of Niger (BAGRI), which offers inclusive credit schemes, particularly for women and youth. The article calls for a major overhaul of agricultural financing, including guaranteed funds, public-private partnerships, modernization of farming techniques, and targeted support policies for producers.

State, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The pastoral surveillance bulletin published by Action Against Hunger (ACF) covers April to May 2025 in eight departments of Niger (regions of Tahoua, Tillabéri, Maradi, and Diffa). It aims to monitor pastoral conditions and guide humanitarian action. The report highlights early vegetation degradation in certain areas, unusually low water point levels, and a decline in livestock body condition. Security challenges persist, restricting access to grazing zones. Market access is also disrupted, impacting both livestock and food prices. The bulletin calls for urgent support in livestock feed distribution, secure access to natural resources, and strengthening pastoral resilience strategies.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Researh, Information, Marché

This report examines the persistent food insecurity in the Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger), through four major crises between 2004 and 2022. It identifies both structural (climate, demographic growth, poverty) and emerging (conflict, political instability, global price shocks) vulnerability factors. Despite the expansion of early warning systems and crisis management mechanisms, governance remains fragmented, overly technocratic, underfunded, and poorly coordinated. The report calls for more inclusive, integrated governance to connect prevention, resilience, social protection, and food sovereignty. Responses remain largely reactive and short-term, while areas affected by armed conflict are the most food insecure. The study concludes that strategic frameworks must be rethought to include multisectoral and territorialized approaches, enhancing the capacity to deal with compounded risks.

Security, Conflict, Development, Food security, Human security, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production, Crisis, Food insecurity

On May 27, 2025, WATHI and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation held a roundtable in Dakar to examine Senegal’s economic situation in light of the Senegal 2050 Agenda, following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election. A public finance audit revealed a budget deficit of 11.7% of GDP and a central government debt of 105.7%. The Senegal 2050 Plan aims to foster inclusive growth, reduce poverty, decentralize the economy, and strengthen national sovereignty. Discussions highlighted major structural issues: weak tax performance, lack of transparency, and a struggling informal sector. Participants called for fiscal reform, stronger parliamentary oversight, investments in education, and gender-sensitive policies. Economic trust and governance are seen as key. Experts stressed the need for coordinated action among public, private, and civil society stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and inclusive prosperity.

Politics, Political party, State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh

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

One year after Bassirou Diomaye Faye (PASTEF) was elected President of Senegal, this report reviews key reforms undertaken. The year was marked by a transition period, the appointment of technocrats, and judicial reforms including the creation of a Financial Judicial Unit. Despite economic measures (price cuts, public finance audits, the launch of “Senegal 2050”), the high cost of living remains a challenge. In foreign policy, the government has asserted its sovereignty by initiating the closure of French military bases and renegotiating international agreements. However, public expectations remain high, particularly concerning gender parity, transparency, reduction of state spending, and youth employment. Political debate still overshadows substantive discussions on public policy reforms.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The Senegal country brief, published on May 19, 2025, by the PASAS platform, summarizes 72 references addressing educational, health, environmental, social, and political issues in the country. Senegal’s expanding higher education system still struggles with inequality in access and quality. Public health faces challenges such as malnutrition, mental health stigmatization, and poor healthcare coverage. Environmental concerns—particularly water and land management—are linked to urban and rural tensions. Social dynamics reflect the mobilization of youth and women’s movements. Governance is explored through political transitions, security challenges at the borders, and Senegal’s shifting role in regional diplomacy. The brief also highlights gaps in coverage, including primary education, infectious diseases, and religious healthcare services.

Politics, Political party, Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Youth, Gold, Human security, Social, Health, Researh

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