The article “Cameroon: Calming Water-Related Struggles in the Far North” (International Crisis Group, April 2024) examines how climate change, recurrent droughts, and demographic pressure intensify tensions among communities (herders, fishermen, farmers) in Cameroon’s Far North region. In 2021, several deadly clashes occurred over contested water access points. The report calls for stronger local water governance mechanisms, promotion of co-management agreements, investment in water infrastructure, and improved intercommunity dialogue. It emphasizes the need for an inclusive approach that addresses climate vulnerabilities and social inequalities to prevent escalating violence.

Governance, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Terrorism, water

The 2025 Mid-Season Regional Biomass Bulletin by Action Against Hunger (ACF) provides an overview of agro-environmental conditions across the Sahel and West Africa. It reports that overall biomass production is average to good, except in specific zones of Mali, Niger, Chad, and northern Burkina Faso where vegetation remains below normal. Irregular rainfall and uneven temporal distribution have delayed the agricultural season in several pastoral regions, affecting pasture regeneration and water availability for livestock. The bulletin warns of potential rapid degradation of natural resources and emphasizes the need for continuous agro-pastoral monitoring through the end of the season to prevent food and livelihood crises.

Economic Development, Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Researh, Knowlege production

This article highlights the role of Professional Military Education (PME) institutions in fostering professional, apolitical African armies committed to constitutional defense and democratic governance. The urgency to strengthen PME has grown amid rising military politicization and a wave of coups since 2020 (Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Sudan). Africa hosts over 118 military schools, including War Colleges, Staff Colleges, and Military Academies across the continent. However, the mere existence of these institutions does not guarantee stronger professionalism: their impact depends on curriculum quality, democratic values integration, and robust civil-military relations. Surveys show young African officers hold strong ideals of public service, but these must be reinforced by tailored, context-sensitive training. The article stresses that not all countries require costly war colleges; regional cooperation can fill gaps. Strengthening PME is presented as a key step to professionalize African militaries and support democratic transitions.

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

This Policy Brief examines the Sahel’s complex crisis, rooted in insecurity, poverty, marginalization, and weak governance. The author critiques military-centered strategies, particularly those led by the European Union, as misaligned with local needs and overly focused on migration control and counterterrorism. Mahssoun argues that such approaches deepen dependency and fail to resolve underlying causes. Instead, she advocates for an African-led response based on regional integration, South-South cooperation, and inclusive socio-economic programs. Initiatives such as the Liptako-Gourma Charter and the Atlantic Africa Initiative are highlighted as promising models, combining security measures with economic development, regional value chains, and community resilience. The recommendations emphasize investments in education, job creation, healthcare, and strategic infrastructure, while fostering local ownership and participation. This Pan-African approach seeks to provide a sustainable pathway to peace and development in the Sahel.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Peace, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Regional integration

The article highlights the growing strategic importance of space collaboration in Africa. Satellites and space technologies already contribute significantly to security (border surveillance, tackling illegal fishing, disaster prevention), the economy (telecommunications, precision agriculture, urban planning), and social development (e-learning, telemedicine, bridging the digital divide). However, fragmented national initiatives limit overall efficiency. The author underscores the pivotal role of the African Space Agency (AfSA), inaugurated in April 2025, in harmonizing policies, pooling infrastructure, and strengthening continental and international cooperation. Partnerships with the European Union, China, Russia, and the United States are seen as capacity-building tools, but African ownership must remain central. Space is framed not as a luxury but as a strategic necessity for sovereignty, food security, and climate resilience. The article calls for coordinated investments, private-sector inclusion, and citizen engagement to make space a driver of African integration and sustainable development.

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

The article “A Fertilizer Price Subsidy Policy to Mitigate Climate Effects on Women and Food Security in Cameroon”, published by Partnership for Economic Policy in July 2023, examines the impact of subsidizing agricultural fertilizers to counteract climate change’s negative effects, especially on rural women and food security. The authors (Célestin Sikube Takamgno, Nina Fotso Maya, Yselle F. Malah Kuete, Francine M. Petga, Pierre J. Nguetse Tegoum, Alain P. Yankap Noutanewo) demonstrate that Cameroon has experienced rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, and increased climate variability over recent decades. The country confronts growing food insecurity, disproportionately affecting female-headed households. Simulations suggest that fertilizer subsidies could boost agricultural production, raise household incomesespecially for womenand reduce reliance on food imports. The paper explores two financing scenarios: public deficit or matching reduction in fuel subsidies. The authors recommend redirecting gains from fuel price liberalization toward fertilizer subsidies and implementing a phased, gender-targeted subsidy mechanism..

Governance, Agriculture, Climate change, Food security, Women

This article examines South–South security cooperation in Africa through the case of the G5 Sahel. The authors argue that regional organisations, despite being guided by the mantra of “African solutions to African problems,” remain rigid, underfunded, and donor-dependent. In this context, ad hoc initiatives such as the G5 Sahel and the Accra Initiative have proliferated, appearing more flexible and context-sensitive. However, these often become “zombified” institutions shaped by external funding and donor agendas. The G5 Sahel exemplifies this paradox: while it failed to curb insecurity, it nonetheless fostered military cooperation and generated new forms of African agency. This “productive failure” illustrates how Sahelian states repurpose constraints into political opportunities, reassert sovereignty, and engage in new bilateral or regional arrangements, including the creation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

State, Economic Development, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Cooperation, Threat, Knowlege production

This article focuses on intelligence sharing in the Sahel region, analyzing cooperation among African states as well as interactions between regional actors and external powers. The author discusses how intelligence is shared or withheld based on strategic, security, or sovereignty considerations, and highlights challenges such as trust deficits, institutional capacity gaps, and power asymmetries. Even when cooperation frameworks exist, their effectiveness is often undermined by rivalries, resource constraints, or contradictory policies. The study offers concrete case studies illustrating barriers to cooperation, along with proposals to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms (legal frameworks, harmonization, regional governance). In the Sahel context, the article argues that better integration of intelligence is vital for more effective counter-extremism efforts and regional stability.

Governance, Extremism, Cooperation, Violence, Institution, Instabilité

This analysis explores the business climate in Mauritania, classified among the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the government introduced an Extended Priority Program (PPE) aimed at stimulating economic activity, strengthening social sectors, and promoting food self-sufficiency. However, major challenges remain: outdated fiscal policies, weak debt recovery, and inefficiencies in cross-border trade. The economy is dominated by informality (over 90% of jobs), with high unemployment particularly affecting youth and women, as well as a mismatch between vocational training and labor market needs. The private sector calls for stronger public-private dialogue, improved access to credit, policies fostering youth and women’s entrepreneurship, infrastructure modernization, and strategies for the gradual formalization of businesses. The report advocates for a more inclusive and investor-friendly business environment to foster sustainable economic growth.

Governance, Youth, Food security, Women, EMPLOYMENT, Entrepreneurship, Vocational training, Informality