The article explores the link between natural resource exploitation and conflicts in Africa, highlighting that reliance on these resources has often led to armed violence and social inequalities. It advocates for a shift towards governance centered on intangible capital, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, innovation, and social justice. The author suggests that sustainable development in Africa should be based on empowering individuals through education and valuing indigenous knowledge, thereby reducing dependence on natural resources and promoting substantive democracy.

Governance, Natural ressources, Democracy, Social

The article “On the Unborn Fulani: Slavery, Jihad, and Human Rights in Central Mali,” written by Gilles Holder, analyzes the persistence of power relations and descent-based slavery in the hybrid conflict in central Mali since 2015. It highlights the link between 18th- and 19th-century Fulani jihads, the creation of Islamic states based on a slave economy, and contemporary dynamics of social and political revolt. The article emphasizes that the emancipation of slave descendants remains limited by secular logics of land and economic domination by former Fulani aristocracies. It also explores how current jihadist demands integrate social aspirations for emancipation. Finally, it questions the effectiveness of human rights instruments in addressing these deep-rooted inequalities.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Social, Threat

This article examines the effectiveness, attractiveness, and sustainability of social insurance mechanisms in rural Senegal, particularly through mutual health insurance schemes. Although Universal Health Coverage (CMU) relies on these mutual health insurance schemes to provide coverage to vulnerable populations, several obstacles hinder their success: difficulties in collecting contributions, delays in government payments, and heavy administrative burdens. The study aims to identify the determining factors of their operation and to explore the expansion of services to other risks (disability, death, retirement). A mixed survey was conducted, involving 1,565 participants. The results show that membership is based on financial and health motivations, but that the viability of mutual health insurance schemes requires better governance and diversified financing. Recommendations are made to improve their effectiveness and attractiveness.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Knowlege production

The report “Rethinking Disability in Senegal: Analysis of Norms and Discourses on Disability” by Dr. Annick Nganya Tchamwa and Pr Abdou Salam Fall analyzes the social representations of disability in Senegal through a qualitative study using Nvivo software. It highlights the social and cultural constructions that influence the perception of disability, often assimilated to mystical beliefs or transgressions of social norms. The study also explores forms of discrimination and stigmatization, particularly in religion, family, access to social services and employment. People with disabilities face many obstacles, including institutional exclusion and difficulties in social and marital integration. However, the article also highlights the resilience strategies put in place, such as self-acceptance and community participation.

Power, Inequality, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Family, Gold, Social, Discrimination, Disability

The article "Jihadist insurrection and illicit economies around W Park (Benin)" by Aziz Mossi and N'koué Emmanuel Sambieni explores the rise of jihadism in northern Benin and its link with illicit economies. It highlights the social and economic factors that lead to this insecurity, including youth unemployment, the marginalization of pastoral communities and the precariousness of security services. Armed groups exploit these vulnerabilities to establish themselves and finance their activities through trafficking in livestock, gold, medicines and fuel. W Park serves as a strategic refuge, offering jihadists a fertile ground for training and clandestine trade. The authors also analyze the reaction of the Beninese authorities, marked by increasing militarization and attempts to control sensitive areas. The study highlights the need for an integrated approach, combining socio-economic development and strengthening security.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Researh, Knowlege production

The report "The Brotherhood of Traditional Dozo Hunters in Côte d'Ivoire: Socio-Cultural Issues and Security Dynamics" by Fahiraman Rodrigue Koné explores the role of the Dozo brotherhood in Côte d'Ivoire, highlighting its socio-cultural foundations, security influence, and political implications. Historically rooted in Mandinka culture, the Dozos have expanded their role beyond hunting to become security actors due to the weakening of the state since the 1990s. Their collaboration with Ivorian security authorities, although unofficial, is ambivalent, oscillating between protecting populations and accusations of abuse. The study also analyzes their impact on political and ethnic polarization in Côte d'Ivoire. Finally, the report highlights the tension between their traditional status and their intervention in the formal security system.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Civil Society

The article "Security Crisis, Forced Mobility, and Survival and Resilience Strategies of Internally Displaced Women in Kaya Municipality, Burkina Faso" by Ousmane Diallo (Joseph KI ZERBO University of Ouagadougou) analyzes the impact of the humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso on internally displaced women. Since 2019, growing insecurity has forced more than 1.85 million people to flee their homes. The study examines how internally displaced women in Kaya are adapting to this precarious situation by exploiting local economic opportunities. Using a qualitative and quantitative approach, it highlights the resilience strategies deployed: commercial activities, gold panning, material gathering, agricultural work, and vocational training. These women, often heads of households, face multiple challenges but develop initiatives to ensure the survival of their families despite insufficient humanitarian aid.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article The Salafization of Nigerien Society Against the State analyzes the evolution of Salafism in Niger and its impact on society and the State. Since the July 2023 coup, three major forces have been competing for political influence: the military, the jihadists and the Salafists. The latter, although less visible, have a growing influence by spreading a fundamentalist religious ideology. The article traces the history of relations between Islam and the State in Niger, highlighting how Salafization has transformed the social and public sphere. However, it has not yet directly entered the political arena. Salafism presents itself as an alternative to Western models and corrupt regimes, attracting young people in particular. The author highlights the complexity of the situation and the ambiguity of the relations between Salafism, the State and international actors.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Gold, Social, Civil Society

The article "Pragmatic contexts and formalist contexts. A socio-anthropological perspective", written by Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan, explores the distinction between pragmatic (proximity) contexts and formalist (structural) contexts in social sciences. It shows that the social sciences mix contextualization and decontextualization according to their methods. Qualitative surveys, focused on local interactions, better reflect the complexity of the field than quantitative methods, which favor abstract indicators. The author criticizes social engineering and standardized intervention models, often developed without taking into account local contexts. He defends the importance of the agency of actors and advocates a gradual increase in generality, rather than an abstract and decontextualized generalization. The study of pragmatic contexts allows a better understanding of public policies and development projects, particularly in Africa.

Politics, Political party, Power, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Development, Gold, Social, Researh, Knowlege production