The article highlights the urgency of establishing inclusive development in the Sahel and West Africa to counter the growing destabilization of the region. The author, drawing on her humanitarian experience, highlights local initiatives led by authorities, community leaders, women's and youth associations, particularly in the areas of education and training. However, she deplores the fact that current political decisions neglect the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, thus exacerbating their precariousness. She calls for collective mobilization to build productive, supportive and dignified African societies, rather than constantly recovering from repeated crises.

Education, Development, Women, Vulnerability

In this interview, Dr. Jean Charles Biagui, a lecturer and researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, emphasizes the importance for Senegal to adopt a foreign policy resolutely focused on Africa. He argues that strengthening relations with other African countries would promote regional integration and stimulate economic development. Senegal must leverage its strategic position in West Africa and contribute more to continental dynamics. Dr. Biagui calls for proactive diplomacy, based on economic and political cooperation, while emphasizing the benefits of African solidarity accumulated to address global challenges.

Development, Cooperation, Diplomacy

In her interview, Dr. Minata Sarr Ndiaye identifies five priorities for Senegal. First, she emphasizes the importance for the State to place humans at the center of its actions, by serving citizens and responding to their needs. Second, she advocates for better integration of Senegal into the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain, by strengthening research and developing infrastructure for the local production of big data. Third, she calls for the industrialization of digital public services, by making all services accessible online and entering into public-private partnerships to enhance the value of data while protecting fundamental rights. Fourth, she emphasizes the valorization of cultural knowledge through digital technology to promote Senegalese culture internationally. Finally, she recommends updating educational curricula, starting in elementary school, to adapt to the changes in today's world.

Governance, Education, Numérique, Intelligence artificielle

The article explores the evolution of popular protest movements in Senegal, a country marked by a tradition of social mobilizations. Since independence, major protests, such as those of May 1968, have involved young people and unions. The political changeover in 2000 aroused disappointed expectations, leading to movements such as the 2002 demonstrations in Kolda and those of 2008 linked to power cuts. The article highlights the "Y'en a marre" and "M23" movements of 2011, which mobilized young people to contest the controversial candidacy of Abdoulaye Wade for a third term. These spontaneous movements show a youth organized to influence political decisions.

Political Power, Governance, Youth, Crisis

West and Central Africa (WCA) have a predominantly young population, with 64% under the age of 24. By 2030, the adolescent population (10-19 years) is projected to increase by 37%, from 120 million to 164 million. This demographic trend presents an opportunity for a demographic dividend, provided that young people are educated, healthy, and have access to decent employment. However, significant challenges persist, including limited access to quality education, high dropout rates, gender-based violence, and early unintended pregnancies. In response, representatives from 17 countries issued the Dakar Call in 2015, affirming their political commitment to youth. In November 2018, a regional conference brought together over 120 representatives from 22 countries to discuss the links between sexual and reproductive health, education, and school dropout. Priorities identified include combating early pregnancies, child marriages, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, substance abuse, and sexual violence. To harness the potential of this youth, it is essential to strengthen educational and health policies, focusing on gender equality and protection against violence.

Governance, Education, Health

The "Gender at the Centre Initiative" commissioned a study to assess the integration of gender equality into the educational sector planning in Mauritania. This analysis focuses on the Triennial Budgeted Action Plan (PATB) 2019-2021, developed in 2012 under the leadership of the Ministry of Education and UNESCO. Findings indicate that, although there is a political effort to include gender considerations in educational policies, this initiative primarily addresses concerns from external stakeholders. Civil society organizations and technical and financial partners observe that gender issues are often raised by external actors, with the ministry showing less proactivity in this area. Furthermore, there is no clear mechanism for accountability, reporting, and monitoring the implementation of gender equality in education. Final decisions regarding the PATB are mainly made by the planning directorate, with limited coordination among various ministry departments, hindering constructive dialogue and effective integration of gender considerations into sectoral planning.

Governance, Gender, Women, Violence, Marginalisation, Political participation, Inclusion, Parity

According to an Afrobarometer survey published in August 2023, Mauritanians consider education (42%), health (42%), and poverty (40%) as the main problems that the government must address. More than half of citizens (55%) have sought health care in the past 12 months, while 33% have used public education services. Access to education is considered easy by 80% of respondents, but access to medical care is divided (51% easy versus 49% difficult). Corruption remains an obstacle, with 43% of users having paid bribes to obtain identity documents, and around 30% to access health, police, or education services. Citizens express general dissatisfaction with government performance in maintaining infrastructure and providing basic services, including health, education, and drinking water.

Bribery, Education, Public Administration, Poverty, Health, Services publics

Amnesty International’s 2023 annual report on Mauritania highlights several human rights concerns. In May, after the ruling party won legislative, regional and local elections, allegations of fraud were raised by some opposition parties. In December, former President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was sentenced to five years in prison for corruption. The report denounces cases of torture and ill-treatment, including the death in police custody of human rights defender Souvi Ould Jibril Ould Cheine in February, attributed to traumatic asphyxiation by strangulation. Freedom of expression has been restricted, with mobile internet cuts in June following protests, and during national reviews to prevent cheating. The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has also highlighted the lack of thorough examination of proposals for a truth and reconciliation mechanism concerning human rights violations between 1989 and 1992.

Governance, Human Rights, Torture