The Bi-monthly Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Sahel (No. 32, April–May 2025) reports a lean season marked by a sharp decline in forage resources and the drying up of temporary surface water. Livestock movements are generally limited but include mass departures or arrivals, often driven by insecurity. Localized resource availability leads to high livestock concentrations, deterioration in animal body condition, and suspected disease outbreaks (botulism, peste des petits ruminants, vitamin deficiencies). Cereal and livestock prices are rising, with terms of trade unfavorable to herders. Cattle theft remains an issue, especially in high-density zones and in the Gao region. Conditions vary by country, with pastoral resources sometimes sufficient (Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire) but often deficient (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal), creating both economic and animal health challenges.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Insécurité

The pastoral surveillance bulletin (April–May 2025) for northern Côte d’Ivoire, prepared by ACF, RBM, and OPEN-CI, highlights fragile pastoral conditions despite improvements from the onset of the rainy season. Pasture and water resources remain insufficient in some areas due to pressures from transhumance, refugee inflows, and land conflicts. Livestock body condition is generally fair, but animal diseases persist. Cattle thefts and inter-community conflicts, exacerbated by cross-border insecurity, disrupt transhumance routes. Markets remain open but show significant price fluctuations, worsening terms of trade for herders, especially in Tchologo. Recommendations include strengthening security, promoting joint resource management, conflict prevention, and supporting pastoral community resilience.

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

The April–May 2025 pastoral surveillance bulletin (No. 40), published by Action Against Hunger and the Billital Maroobé Network, assesses the pastoral situation in Senegal. It highlights north-to-south transhumance movements, with herds arriving from Mauritania and leaving toward Mali. Although vegetation cover is generally adequate, notable deficits persist in northern regions. Water resources are largely sufficient but rely heavily on boreholes. Animal diseases, livestock theft, and conflicts between herders and farmers are reported. On markets, male cattle prices rose significantly, and rice prices remained high compared to the five-year average. The bulletin urges strengthened pastoral infrastructure, conflict resolution training, and support to local transhumance committees to manage regional vulnerabilities and ensure resource access and livestock security during the pastoral lean season.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Information

The pastoral surveillance bulletin for April–May 2025 in Mauritania, published by Action Against Hunger and its partners, reports a concerning situation as the lean season approaches. The degradation of natural pastures and drying of water points, particularly in eastern regions (Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi), are increasing pressure on pastoral resources. Transhumance movements have begun earlier and more intensely than usual, often hindered by land disputes and high livestock concentrations in certain zones. The body condition of livestock is generally fair, though some disease outbreaks have been reported. Market trends show rising prices for both livestock and staple foods, to the disadvantage of herders. Although the security context remains relatively stable, the food situation of pastoral households is increasingly fragile.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Civil Society, Marché

The February–March 2025 Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger, highlights key challenges for pastoralism in the Sahel. This transition period between the cold and hot dry seasons is characterized by the drying up of temporary water points and widespread bushfires that have reduced forage availability. Nevertheless, pasture remains generally sufficient. Seasonal transhumance movements are mainly downward, but abnormal or forced movements linked to insecurity are also reported. The body condition of livestock ranges from fair to satisfactory, although suspected disease outbreaks are noted. Cereal and livestock prices are mostly rising, but terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders in many areas. Livestock theft, limited market access, and the arrival of refugees are further complicating conditions in certain regions.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Insécurité

The pastoral monitoring bulletin for February–March 2025, published by ACF, VSF-B, RBM, and RECOPA, assesses the pastoral situation in Burkina Faso. This period marks the transition between the cold and hot dry seasons, with widespread drying of temporary water points and declining natural pastures, worsened by bushfires. Transhumance movements, especially toward the south, are disrupted due to ongoing insecurity, closure of pastoral corridors, and tensions with crop farmers. The body condition of livestock is fair overall, although some animal diseases have been reported. Market access remains limited in several areas, with rising food prices and deteriorating terms of trade. The security context continues to restrict movement, while the presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) adds further pressure on already strained resources.

State, Pastoralism, Boundary, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Human security, Marché, Transhumance

In this article, Dr. Ahmed Mahmane Ahmadou Bachir, a pastoralism expert and lecturer-researcher at the Higher Institute of Environment and Ecology (IS2E) of the University of Diffa in Niger, highlights the lack of dedicated funding for research in Sahelian countries. He emphasizes the challenges faced by researchers, including insufficient resources to conduct studies on critical issues such as desertification, climate change, and sustainable natural resource management. Established in 2014, IS2E plays a vital role in training senior executives and specialized technicians in natural resource management. Dr. Bachir calls for a significant increase in research budgets to enable local institutions to develop solutions tailored to the realities of the Sahel.

Governance, Pastoralism, Environment, Funding, Scientific research

The February–March 2025 pastoral surveillance bulletin highlights growing pastoral challenges in Senegal. Vegetation cover remains low in the north and south, with significant shortages in Saint-Louis, Louga, and Matam. While water resources are generally adequate, pasture conditions are poor in several areas. Livestock body conditions are mostly fair to good, but deteriorate in critical zones. Animal disease outbreaks, livestock mortality, and extensive bushfires—especially in Tambacounda—are reported. Markets remain accessible, yet livestock and cereal prices, particularly rice, are on the rise, increasing pastoralist vulnerability. Cases of theft and farmer-herder conflicts are also noted. The report urges strengthening resource governance, veterinary surveillance, fire prevention, and awareness on sustainable transhumance.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Researh

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania for February-March 2025 reports an overall satisfactory situation despite a decline in pastoral resources due to bushfires and increased livestock pressure, particularly in Hodh Chargui. Grazing resources remain generally available, and livestock body condition is good. However, suspected outbreaks of animal diseases, including peste des petits ruminants and foot-and-mouth disease, are reported. The bulletin also highlights the ongoing arrival of Malian refugees, increasing strain on resources and infrastructure. Market assessments show variable commodity prices, with unfavorable terms of trade for herders in certain areas. Support actions such as livestock e-tagging have been implemented. Recommendations emphasize strengthening resilience, improving animal health awareness, and mitigating potential conflicts in agropastoral zones.

State, Economic Development, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Marché