The article "From Ndigël to Conciliation: Reconfiguring the Role of Religious Leaders in Senegalese Political Space" examines the evolving role of religious guides in Senegal, particularly during the 2000 and 2024 presidential elections. In 2000, despite voting directives (ndigël) from religious leaders, many voters chose independently, leading to the first democratic transition. In 2024, amid the controversial postponement of the presidential election by President Macky Sall, the reactions of religious leaders were closely observed. Historically influential, these guides have seen their role shift from issuing directives to acting as mediators in a tense political context. This transformation reflects a redefinition of their place in Senegal's political arena, where their involvement is now more focused on conciliation and mediation rather than directly influencing their followers' votes.

Politics, Governance, Election

The article “Democracy under the threat of security in Africa: the case of Burkina Faso” analyzes the impact of terrorist threats on Burkina Faso’s democratic achievements since 2015. It conceptualizes democracy by encompassing the protection of individual freedoms, the holding of free and fair elections, and checks and balances between state institutions. The study demonstrates that, although terrorist violence has weakened Burkinabe democracy, it is resilient. Far from putting an end to democratization, insecurity opens new perspectives for its revitalization. The article also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the functioning of public institutions and resisting restrictions on individual freedoms, even in times of security crisis.

Governance, Security, Democracy, Transition, Liberté

This article explores the integration of seasonal climate forecasts into adaptive social protection (ASP) systems in the Sahel. The authors emphasize that communities in the region heavily rely on seasonal rainfall for their livelihoods. By combining climate forecasts with livelihood information, actions can be triggered ahead of shocks, reducing the time needed for needs assessments before delivering a response. The World Bank's Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Programme (SASPP) is highlighted as a major initiative aimed at building resilience among populations facing climate hazards. Mauritania, as one of the six countries targeted by the SASPP, actively participates in this initiative by implementing adaptive social protection systems to help vulnerable populations better cope with climate shocks. The article also identifies challenges, including the variability in the quality of climate forecasts and the difficulty of integrating these forecasts into existing early warning systems. The authors recommend enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, improved understanding of climate impacts on livelihoods, and sustained investment in climate research and services.

Climate change, Food security, Adaptive social protection

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 report by the Citizen Coalition for the Sahel, published in June 2022, assesses the evolution of the situation in the central Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It highlights an 18% increase in civilian deaths between April 2021 and March 2022, with 2,901 recorded victims. Armed extremist groups are responsible for 58% of these deaths, while defense and security forces are implicated in 27% of the cases. The Coalition recommends placing civilian protection at the heart of strategies, ensuring adequate humanitarian funding, promoting political dialogue, and combating impunity. It emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes peacebuilding, access to basic services, and governance reform to effectively address the Sahel crisis.

Politics, Extremism, Dialogue, Groupes armés, Impunity

The article titled "Climate Risks and Food and Nutrition Security in Niger: Mapping Impacts and Resilience Needs" analyzes the effects of climate change on food security in three regions of Niger. The authors identify drought as the main risk, leading to declines in agricultural production, livestock numbers, and the disappearance of valuable tree species. These impacts exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. Factors contributing to the vulnerability of rural households include land degradation, poverty, and the rudimentary nature of agro-pastoral activities. The study proposes resilience benchmarks, classified into four groups (V1, V2, V3, V4), to guide effective responses to climate risks.

Climate change, Security, Food security

The article examines agroclimatic risks affecting rainfed agriculture in western Niger, combining community perceptions and meteorological data. Communities identify early cessation of rains, early-season sand winds, and dry spells as the main climatic risks. These perceptions align with observed data analyses, except for early cessation of rains, where an improvement is noted but remains imperceptible to communities due to climatic variability. Immediate impacts include loss of seedlings and crops, leading to food insecurity and weakened livestock. Although adaptation strategies, such as the use of improved crop varieties and water and soil conservation techniques, are implemented, communities remain vulnerable to these phenomena. The study suggests that targeted adaptation strategies addressing identified risks would help mitigate the effects of climate change on rainfed agriculture in the Sahel.

Agriculture, Climate change

The study conducted from July 2020 to June 2022 as part of the RESILAC project analyzes individual strategies and collective dynamics influencing mental health and socioeconomic integration of youth in the Lake Chad Basin. It provides an overview of mental health systems in four countries, identifies emerging mental disorders and profiles of individuals in psychological distress, and examines endogenous mechanisms for addressing mental health issues and trauma. The study aims to produce operational knowledge to sustainably improve interventions for youth affected by conflicts in this region.

Governance, Youth, Santé mentale

The report by Search for Common Ground examines the participation of Sahelian women in digital spaces, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they encounter. It highlights that, despite a growing online presence, women face obstacles such as limited access to technology, restrictive sociocultural norms, and risks of online violence. The report recommends actions to enhance women's digital inclusion, including strengthening technological skills, raising awareness of digital rights, and creating safe online environments.

Gender, Women, Violence, Numérique