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

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 Growing Divergence of Narratives around Security in Burkina Faso” examines the communication strategy of the military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré since the September 2022 coup. While the regime portrays itself as regaining territory, fostering economic innovation, and protecting civilians, evidence points to a worsening reality: nearly 18,000 deaths linked to jihadist violence in three years, an 87% rise in civilian casualties, and loss of control over 70% of national territory. The economy has suffered from collapsing gold and cotton production and a sharp decline in foreign investment. The humanitarian crisis is escalating, with millions displaced, thousands of schools and health centers shut down, and multiple simultaneous epidemics. The article highlights the growing gap between official narratives and empirical realities, amplified by disinformation campaigns orchestrated with Russian support. This divergence poses serious challenges for governance, regional stability, and democratic principles.

Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Education, Gold, Human security, Influence, Violence, Threat, Information

The article “Japan Innovates to Deepen Its Relations with Africa” by Paul Nantulya examines the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), held in August 2025 in Yokohama. Japan reaffirmed its distinctive approach, based on co-creation, joint ownership, and blended public-private financing, standing apart from traditional aid models. The conference brought together leaders from 42 African countries along with over 500 stakeholders from business, academia, and civil society. Japan’s engagement revolves around three pillars: economy (value chains, added-value exports, regional integration), society (health, education, youth and women inclusion), and peace and stability (support for APSA, peace operations, counter-terrorism, and transnational crime). Concrete initiatives include training 300,000 young Africans, developing trade corridors (Nacala, Mombasa, Kinshasa), and industrial investment in critical minerals. The article stresses Japan’s enduring credibility in Africa, derived from its collaborative, cautious, and innovation-driven approach to partnership.

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

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Senegal (No. 41, June–July 2025) highlights late and irregular rains, causing a severe pastoral lean season in the north (Louga, Saint-Louis, Matam). Transhumance flows were intense, with herds moving southward (Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda) and across borders with Mauritania and Mali. While forage and water resources were more favorable in Casamance and eastern Senegal, overgrazing and pressure on water points increased health risks and tensions. Livestock prices, especially for male cattle (+12%), rose sharply, improving terms of trade for pastoralists but undermining non-herding households’ purchasing power. The bulletin also reports animal diseases, frequent cattle thefts (Louga, Kaffrine, Tambacounda), and localized farmer–herder conflicts. Recommendations emphasize strengthening pastoral infrastructure, ensuring coordinated management of transhumance corridors, reinforcing animal health surveillance, and providing targeted support to vulnerable households.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Food security, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Transhumance

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin on Niger (No. 64, June–July 2025), published by Action Against Hunger (ACF), highlights improved pastoral conditions due to above-average rainfall, which boosted pasture regeneration and water availability. Overall, fodder resources are considered medium to sufficient, and livestock body condition is mostly fair, with some improvement noted. Nevertheless, localized biomass deficits, water shortages in specific areas, increased livestock theft, and community conflicts over resources remain challenges. Market analysis shows declining livestock prices, slight increases in cereal prices, and unfavorable terms of trade for herders. The report concludes with recommendations to strengthen vaccination campaigns, promote peaceful transhumance, ensure availability of fodder and cereals, and enhance risk preparedness in pastoral areas. It stresses the importance of continued support from state institutions, civil society, and humanitarian actors to secure pastoral livelihoods.

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

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin on Mali (No. 35, June-July 2025), published by Action Against Hunger, reports on pastoral resources and market dynamics in the regions of Timbuktu and Gao. Seasonal rains contributed to pasture regeneration and improved water availability, though access remains uneven and new shoots are often underutilized. Livestock body condition is mostly rated as fair, with suspected outbreaks of diseases such as peste des petits ruminants, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, and lumpy skin disease. Cattle theft was reported in 50% of monitoring sites, while insecurity remains high, especially in Gao. Markets are accessible, but terms of trade are still unfavorable to herders, despite a slight improvement (+14% increase in goat-to-millet exchange value). The report highlights the need for pasture rotation, stronger community veterinary networks, enhanced disease prevention, and improved conflict management.

Power, State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché

The Multisectoral Surveillance Bulletin for the regions of Timbuktu and Taoudénni (No. 13, June-July 2025), published by Action Against Hunger, provides updates on security, agriculture, pastoralism, and nutrition. Security incidents rose by 84%, reflecting continued armed group pressure. Early flooding of the Niger River raised concerns in riverside communities, while farming activities advanced with expanded rice and millet areas. Pasture conditions were rated from fair to poor, and livestock body conditions remained weak despite improved water access. Global acute malnutrition reached 9,177 cases in Timbuktu (+10%) and 787 in Taoudénni (down from previous months), driven by seasonal food shortages and disease. Malaria cases declined by 34% in Timbuktu but rose by 12% in Taoudénni. The report recommends strengthening access to agricultural inputs, animal vaccination, health prevention measures, and food assistance to displaced households.

State, Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Family, Gold, Human security, Health, Fishing

The working paper “Digitalisation and Governance in the Sahel”, authored by Mori Gouroubera and published in February 2025, examines the growing role of digital transformation in governance across Sahelian countries. The paper highlights the opportunities provided by digitization—such as increased transparency, administrative efficiency, and citizen participation—while also identifying key obstacles including insufficient digital infrastructure, the digital divide, weak institutional coordination, ethical concerns, and cybersecurity. It analyzes digital services in key sectors like health, agriculture, and public services, and envisions three future scenarios: inclusive digital governance, fragmented digitization, or digital regression. The author’s recommendations stress the importance of reinforcing regional cooperation, investing in infrastructure, training populations, diversifying funding, and ensuring data protection. This framework aims to inform policies that foster a sustainable, inclusive, and contextually relevant digital transformation in the Sahel.

Governance, Numérique, Cybersecurity