The article “Lessons from the Covid-19 crisis on governance in West Africa”, published by the Think Tank WATHI, analyses the impact of the pandemic on the governance of West African countries. It highlights pre-existing flaws in governance systems and proposes avenues of action to strengthen the resilience of States to future crises. The study highlights the importance of more transparent, participatory and effective governance to ensure the protection of citizens in times of crisis. Key recommendations include: improving the decision-maker selection process, citizen participation in public policies, protecting fundamental rights, fighting corruption and investing in scientific research. The article stresses the need for States to invest more in public infrastructure, particularly in health services, to avoid future major crises.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Crisis, Institution

The article analyzes the adoption and adaptation of the CMAM Surge model in Niger. Introduced in 2014, this model aims to improve the health system's response to malnutrition cases. Although deployed in 434 health facilities, its application remains heterogeneous. The study identifies the major challenges of its implementation: lack of knowledge of the program by health workers, poor training, coordination problems with NGOs and lack of resources. The Surge approach, initially designed to manage malnutrition crises, encounters difficulties in sustainable integration. Some local reform actors are more successful in adapting it, by involving communities more and developing alternative strategies. The article offers a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the model and explores ways to strengthen its appropriation and impact.

Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Health, Civil Society, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Malnutrition

The article “An Unequal Partnership? The Partnerships of International NGOs at the Local and National Levels” examines the relationships between international NGOs (INGOs) and national NGOs (NNGOs) in Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on the health sector, particularly cervical cancer prevention. The study highlights the tensions and asymmetries in these partnerships, which are often imposed by INGOs on local actors. While INGOs provide financial and technical support, NNGOs struggle with a lack of autonomy and recognition. The research also emphasizes the increasing bureaucratization of projects, the weak involvement of local partners in decision-making, and the impact of partnerships on local NGO governance. Despite mutual benefits, the authors conclude that these collaborations remain unbalanced and require adjustments to ensure more equitable and effective development.

Power, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Health, Civil Society, Soicial sciences, Researh, 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 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 entitled “Evaluation of the provision of care in emergency situations based on the establishment of advanced health posts in the town of Djibo, Burkina Faso, April 2022” analyzes the effectiveness of advanced health posts (PSAs) deployed in Djibo in response to an emergency situation in April 2022. The study examines how these PSAs improved access to health care for the local population in crisis situations. The results indicate increased use of health services and better accessibility for residents, thus contributing to a more effective health response in emergency contexts.

Governance, Health, Politique publique, Emergency, Accessibility

In Ziguinchor, southern Senegal, urban agriculture faces challenges posed by environmental changes and population growth. This article examines, through quantitative and qualitative observations and surveys, food resilience in the face of crises such as pollution, salinity and acidification. The results indicate a degradation of agricultural and natural spaces, reflecting a vulnerability linked to urbanization and the impoverishment of ecosystems. Certain nurturing spaces, endowed with cultural or religious value, encourage their preservation. Finally, a greening of agricultural practices is respected, although these initiatives are not yet fully supported by local authorities.

Agriculture, Environment, Urbanisation

The article entitled “Revealing social vulnerability profiles for the management of urban floods: the case of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)”, written by Mwingnè Laure Carolle Da, Hugues Hangnon, Marion Amalric, Aude Nikiema, Élodie Robert and Emmanuel Bonnet, was published in 2022 in Cybergeo: European Review of Geography. It analyzes the vulnerability of the inhabitants of Ouagadougou to flooding as part of phase 2 of the Raincell Africa project. A socio-demographic survey carried out among 2,137 households made it possible, thanks to statistical analyses, to identify eight vulnerability profiles. The results indicate that the peripheral areas of the city, characterized by informal settlements, are the most vulnerable. This increased exposure is linked to sociodemographic factors such as education level, risky urbanization behaviors and poor perception of danger. These elements are crucial for improving urban flood management.

Vulnerability, Urbanisation, Floods