The document addresses the military presence in Mali and Niger, highlighting the return of military juntas to power since 2020. It analyzes the causes of the coups and the historical influence of the military on politics in these two countries, which has been exacerbated by the heightened insecurity caused by jihadist groups. The military regimes, seeking to assert their sovereignty and legitimize.

Power, State, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

This research paper is based on a study carried out from september 2019 to november 2020 by a pluridisciplinary social sciences team in six countries : Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Chad and Senegal. During the last two decades, the offer of islamic education in the Sahel has been greatly renewed and diversified, thanks to he dynamics speficic to the societies, but also in connection with the commitment of international organisations and States in favor of Education for all politics. The pluralism that caracterizes the offer of islamic education, due to the existence of several sensivities and various sources of funding, poses multidimensional challenges to the countries concerned, particularly in their ability to articulate different, even antagonistic training systems, as well as in their desire to design relevant educational policies in these contexts. The reforms carried out by the public authorities are still partial, while many actors with diverse and sometimes conflicting interests seek to make their mark in the national and sub-regional educational fields. The future of education systems is therefore closely linked to the will of States to organize and govern Arab-islamic education, so present and rooted in local social dynamics, but insufficiently taken into account in its complexity and its permanence.

Religious education, Youth

Resistance, Alternation, Sovereignty" delves into Mali's socio-political developments since the 2020 crisis, highlighted by the ousting of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and subsequent political transitions. Coordinated by Sten Hagberg, the book analyzes popular mobilizations against corruption and mismanagement, embodied by the June 5 Movement - Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP). It also examines the role of international actors like ECOWAS and the growing tensions between Mali and its partners, particularly France. The work sheds light on the popular desire to rebuild a "Mali Kura" (New Mali) while contextualizing the security, political, and socio-economic challenges. It adopts a citizen-centric approach to the perceptions and struggles amidst change, drawing comparative insights with other regional crises.

Politics, State, Sovereignty, Governance, Security, Justice, Human security, Social

This document analyzes the resurgence of military coups in the central Sahel, notably in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, as well as the resulting democratic challenges. Since 2012, these countries have experienced several overthrows of power, often seen as responses to the security and institutional weaknesses of the incumbent governments. The military transitions that follow typically extend the suspension of democratic rights and cast uncertainty over a return to constitutional order. Analyses of these transitional periods highlight the limited efforts to restore democratic governance, with delayed elections and increasing restrictions on civil freedom and the media."

State, Security

The document explores the issues surrounding digital sovereignty in West Africa in 2024, examining both the challenges and prospects for achieving digital autonomy. Faced with rising cyber threats, West African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal must strengthen their cybersecurity and manage their dependence on foreign infrastructure, particularly from China and Russia. The text analyzes the risks of losing control over data and increased vulnerability to cyberattacks, while also highlighting ongoing digital sovereignty initiatives. These initiatives include developing local infrastructure and implementing policies to protect data; however, they encounter significant obstacles such as a lack of expertise, low investment, and reliance on imported technologies.

Sovereignty, Governance, Information, Numérique, Donnée

In response to their withdrawal from ECOWAS, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger created the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with the goal of forming a confederation. This article places the initiative in historical context, recalling failed attempts at territorial federations in West Africa (like the OCRS and the Mali Federation). It examines the logistical and administrative challenges of governing such a vast, landlocked territory, and highlights the increased reliance on Russia (notably the Wagner Group) for security. The article raises concerns about a new form of geopolitical dependency. It concludes that the AES does not represent a genuine break but rather a repetition of unresolved post-independence issues: geographic isolation, internal tensions, ungovernability, and fragile regional integration.

State, Sovereignty, Diplomacy