In this interview, Dr. Jean Charles Biagui, a lecturer and researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, emphasizes the importance for Senegal to adopt a foreign policy resolutely focused on Africa. He argues that strengthening relations with other African countries would promote regional integration and stimulate economic development. Senegal must leverage its strategic position in West Africa and contribute more to continental dynamics. Dr. Biagui calls for proactive diplomacy, based on economic and political cooperation, while emphasizing the benefits of African solidarity accumulated to address global challenges.

Development, Cooperation, Diplomacy

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