The article "Tramadol, medicine and drug for the poor in West Africa and the Sahel", written by Antonin Tisseron and published on October 12, 2017 by the French Institute of International Relations (Ifri), analyzes the rise of consumption of Tramadol in West Africa and the Sahel. Initially an opioid painkiller, it became a commonly taken drug due to its low cost and stimulating effects. Imported mainly from India and China, it is often sold in counterfeit form in doses well above pharmaceutical standards. This consumption has spread in various circles, notably among young people, manual workers and fighters of armed groups such as Boko Haram. The article highlights the health risks (dependence, convulsions, psychological disorders) as well as security issues. He calls for better regulation and awareness campaigns to limit the harmful effects of this substance.

Power, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Social, Soicial sciences, Illegal activity, Médicament

The article explores the growing place of girls in Arab-Islamic education in Senegal and its impact on gender relations. Historically, this education system was dominated by boys, but since the 1990s, private and public initiatives have allowed for greater female inclusion. Arab-Islamic education is seen as a tool for social moralization and protection against negative influences. However, it also conveys rigid gender norms, with an emphasis on the training of girls as future wives and mothers. Despite these constraints, young girls invest in this educational space to achieve skills, strengthen their autonomy and sometimes even compete with men in religious and educational roles. Education thus becomes a space for negotiation between tradition and modernity, between control and female emancipation.

Politics, Political party, Power, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Religious education, Education, Family, Gold, Social

The article The gender quota as a government technique in Burkina Faso: between change of instruments and political inertia, written by Abdoul K. Saidou and published in Afrique Contemporaine (n°275, 2023/1), analyzes the application and the limits of the gender quota policy in Burkina Faso. Despite the adoption in 2009 of a law imposing a quota of 30% of female candidates in municipal and legislative elections, its impact has remained limited. The article highlights the political resistance and circumvention strategies put in place by the parties, in particular the effect of these quotas. The 2020 reform, which introduced new incentive instruments (such as a financial bonus for parties respecting quotas), did not allow for significant representation of women. The author thus underlines the political inertia and the systemic obstacles which slow down the effective application of this policy.

Politics, Political party, State, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Mediation, Election, Gold, Social

The summary examines the role of civil societies in the Sahel (Mauritania, Mali, Niger) and their impact on social change. It identifies eight ecosystems of organizations, including charitable associations, trade unions, cultural and religious groups, and feminist movements. The research highlights historical tensions, such as the colonial legacy and challenges of independence. The reasoned mapping of civil society dynamics reveals the complex interplay between the state, market, and domestic spheres. It emphasizes the importance of local actors in improving social services, promoting human rights, and empowering women, while analyzing the limits of international funding. Finally, the report proposes strategies to strengthen local capacities, enhance social proximity, and increase the visibility of aid initiatives.

State, Economic Development, Gender, Justice, Education, Development, Social, Aid, Researh, Knowlege production

This article investigates the violence experienced by female artisanal miners in Yagha Province, Burkina Faso, between 2003 and 2015. Using a qualitative approach (interviews and document analysis), the study identifies two main types of violence: physical and moral (body searches, sexual harassment) and economic (mineral confiscation, imposed prices). Findings reveal that privatization and weak regulation of the mining sector facilitate these abuses, worsening the precariousness of female miners and their economic exclusion. In response, women have engaged in collective actions to confront these injustices. The article calls for inclusive policies that consider their experiences to foster socially sustainable artisanal mining practices.

Politics, Political party, Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Social, Violence, Threat

This text analyzes citizen participation in public security policies in Niger and Burkina Faso. It shows that this citizen involvement in security governance has been shaped by the dynamics of political regimes and their international relations. As an instrument of political regulation, citizen participation thus appears as a privileged site of observation of power struggles and the creation of public action in states under aid regimes. The analysis proves to be very fruitful under the prism of the logic of extraversion that characterizes public action in Africa.

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

The book "Women's Social Movements in Senegal", written by the late Dr. Ndèye Sokhna Guèye, explores the evolution of women's movements in Senegal. Despite their demographic weight, Senegalese women remain marginalized in key sectors of the economy, often less educated and confined to the informal sector. They are particularly vulnerable to economic and political crises. On the socio-political level, they suffer various forms of violence and are underrepresented in decision-making bodies. The book analyzes how women's social movements emerged to challenge these inequalities, drawing on case studies and academic references.

Politics, Political party, Gender, Justice, Education, Gold, Social, Women, Researh, Knowlege production, Marginalisation

The infographic maps civil societies in the Sahel, distinguishing eight ecosystems (citizenship, development aid, charity, trade union, cultural, humanitarian, local associations, religious). It analyzes their varied dynamics according to the countries and proposes ways to adapt support for local development, by integrating socio-political contexts, social proximity and sustainability.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Development, Gold, Social, Civil Society

The ILO report examines the role of decent work in fostering peace and resilience in the Sahel, aligning with the G5 Sahel's Integrated Priority Action Framework (CAPI). It highlights major challenges, such as inequalities, competition over natural resources, and weak state functions fueling conflicts. The ILO approach offers solutions based on decent job creation, social dialogue, and inclusive local governance. Recommendations include leveraging local resources, supporting essential infrastructure, and implementing programs promoting social cohesion and crisis resilience. This report contributes to sustainable development and peacebuilding efforts.

Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Education, Mediation, Gold, Social, Dialogue, EMPLOYMENT