This article addresses the challenges of Education in Emergency Situations (EiE) in the Sahel, a region plagued by security, climate, and economic crises. It offers five operational recommendations to enhance the educational response, including investments in coordination, data collection, decentralized education funding, and community mobilization. The study highlights the need for tailored educational alternatives and more effective financing mechanisms to address current shortcomings. The authors emphasize the importance of an inclusive and sustainable approach to ensure educational continuity in the face of chronic crises.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Family, Gold, Vulnerability, Threat, Crisis

Le rapport analyse les opérations et la structure du Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), affilié à Al-Qaïda, dans le Sahel. Il met en évidence le rôle central des économies illicites dans les stratégies de gouvernance du JNIM, son financement et sa lutte armée. Le document retrace l'évolution organisationnelle du groupe et les changements internes influençant son implication dans les économies illicites régionales. Ces adaptations ont permis au JNIM de s'étendre géographiquement, de maintenir son influence et de résister aux perturbations. Le rapport souligne également l'utilisation stratégique de la guerre économique par le JNIM, y compris la destruction d'infrastructures, l'établissement de points de contrôle et l'imposition de blocus. Comprendre l'engagement du JNIM dans les économies illicites est essentiel pour appréhender ses méthodes de gouvernance, de financement et ses objectifs stratégiques dans le Sahel central et les États côtiers.

Governance, Security, Illegal activity

The article examines financial control mechanisms in the security sector in the Sahel, in a context marked by increasing political and security instability. It highlights the need to improve governance and transparency of spending allocated to security forces to strengthen citizens’ trust. Reforms involve close cooperation between parliaments, oversight institutions, civil society and the media. Particular attention is paid to structural challenges such as the ineffectiveness of legal frameworks and the limited application of existing mechanisms. Lessons drawn from evaluations in Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger call for rigorous and inclusive financial practices.

Governance, Security, Security Management, Réforme

The “2024-2027 Roadmap for Strengthening the Inclusion of Refugees in the National Health System in Mauritania” aims to fully integrate refugees into the Mauritanian health system. It is part of the country’s commitment to ensuring refugees’ access to health services, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Health Development Plan 2021-2030. Key objectives include strengthening health infrastructure, improving the supply of essential medicines, and gradually integrating refugees into the national health insurance system.

Governance, Health, refugee

The Mauritania country profile, published by Bpifrance in February 2023, highlights economic growth of 4% in 2022, mainly supported by the mining sector (iron and gold) and investments in energy, particularly gas and renewable energies. However, high inflation (+9.5% in 2022) is weighing on domestic demand. The public deficit reached 2.1% of GDP in 2022, due to accumulated spending to counter inflation and finance energy projects. The current account deficit remains high (-11.6% of GDP), despite robust exports. The banking sector remains fragile, with a non-performing loan rate of 22.7% at the end of 2021. The medium-term outlook is promising, thanks to the planned start of gas exports in late 2023-early 2024, which should strengthen economic growth and improve budgetary and external balances.

Governance, Economic Development

The 2023 Sectoral Review of the Ministry of Health of Mauritania reports on progress towards universal health coverage, in line with the National Health Development Plan (PNDS) 2022-2030. It highlights advances in human resources, infrastructure, equipment and health financing, with activities such as capacity building of personnel and construction of health structures. However, challenges persist, particularly in terms of availability of medicines and governance of the health system. The review recommends better coordination with technical and financial partners, improvement of monitoring mechanisms and optimization of the use of data for decision-making. The outlook includes continued efforts to strengthen the health system and achieve the objectives of the PNDS, with an emphasis on the effectiveness of interventions and the mobilization of necessary resources.

Governance, Health, Couverture sanitaire

The mission report of the Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), carried out from February 26 to March 3, 2023, aims to improve the care pathway for vulnerable patients at the Outpatient Treatment Center (CTA) in Nouakchott and to strengthen the skills of caregivers for monitoring specific populations. The objectives include the promotion of sexual health, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as the prevention of cervical cancer and mother-to-child transmission of infections. The report highlights low overall health coverage in Mauritania, with only 60% of women giving birth in health facilities and vaccination coverage of around 60%. HIV prevalence is estimated at 0.29%, stable for ten years, except in Chami where an increase in the population has been observed. In gynecology/obstetrics, the National Hospital Center of Nouakchott (CHNN) has 50 beds and records 3,800 deliveries per year, with a cesarean rate of 37%, which is constantly increasing.

Governance, Public Administration, Health, Couverture sanitaire

The National Strategy for Enrolling Students in High-Security-Risk Zones (SSEZDS) 2019–2024 aims to guarantee a safe and inclusive educational environment in conflict-affected areas of Burkina Faso. Led by the Ministry of National Education, Literacy, and National Languages, the strategy is grounded in INEE standards and the national constitution to ensure uninterrupted basic education. Facing significant demographic growth and frequent armed attacks, the approach is structured around three pillars: securing schools (fencing, guards, crisis management units), reopening schools in liberated regions, and strengthening the education system's resilience (training, survival kits, emergency plans). It involves coordination between state entities, local governments, NGOs, and teacher unions, using a robust M&E framework with performance indicators to assess progress through 2024.

Governance, Security, Education, Crisis

The IRIS study, led by Caroline Roussy, examines the complexity of transboundary threats in the Sahel and West Africa, particularly the spread of terrorism in border areas between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. It highlights that 80% of recorded violence in this region occurs within 100 kilometers of land borders. Borders, often seen as dividing lines, are actually zones of contact and interaction, facilitating the movement of armed groups and the spread of extremist ideologies. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding local dynamics and cross-border interactions to develop effective counter-terrorism strategies. It recommends an integrated approach that considers the socio-economic and cultural realities of border populations, and enhanced cooperation between the concerned states to secure these vulnerable areas.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Cooperation