This report by the Gorée Institute highlights the critical role of women in strengthening democracy in the Sahel. Coinciding with International Women's Rights Day, the institute emphasizes that women are essential strategic partners in peace processes and governance. The document advocates for increased female participation in political processes, systematic gender considerations in public policies, and the empowerment of young women as catalysts for sustainable change. It underscores the necessity of recognizing and enhancing women's roles in addressing political crises and democratic challenges in the Sahel region.

Governance, Gender, Democracy, Women, Political participation

The article examines the challenges faced by young people in the Sahel, including insecurity, unemployment, territorial inequalities, and political exclusion. Youth in conflict zones often serve on the front lines or are pushed to desperate choices due to lack of opportunity. Urban–rural disparities and the failure of imported democratic models have led to deep frustrations. Some transitions, particularly military ones in Burkina Faso, receive popular support but raise concerns about civil liberties. The piece underscores the need for inclusive governance, stronger representation of youth and minorities, and holistic solutions addressing the root causes of instability. It calls for educational reform, psychosocial support, equitable access to resources, and renewed civic participation among youth.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Threat

This April 2025 policy brief by the Gorée Institute, in collaboration with ETTG, explores the deep interconnections between development and security in the Sahel. Based on a workshop held in Gorée, African and European experts emphasized how geopolitical fragmentation, poverty, climate change, and social exclusion fuel instability. The brief criticizes the EU’s approach as being overly driven by its own priorities (energy, migration) and calls for a paradigm shift towards more balanced partnerships. It highlights the need to integrate gender, youth, and local cohesion dimensions, including traditional and religious authorities. The EU is urged to invest in public services, inclusive governance, and sustainable local dialogues rather than relying on militarized approaches. The brief advocates for gradual re-engagement, including with the AES, to address Sahelian challenges in a structural and coordinated manner.

Politics, Political party, State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Mediation, Development, Gold, Human security

In this publication by the Gorée Institute (March 17, 2025), author Mouhamadou Naby Baldé examines the prospects for successful political and security integration following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS and their regrouping under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The article analyzes the motivations behind the withdrawal—particularly the perceived hostility of ECOWAS towards military regimes—and highlights the community’s internal weaknesses, including slow decision-making, lack of shared vision, and leadership concentration. However, the AES remains a fragile bloc, facing diplomatic isolation and security threats. The author advocates for a reformed ECOWAS that could become a space for genuine regional convergence and shared sovereignty, while leaving open the door for a potential return of AES countries under improved conditions.

Sovereignty, Governance, Security, Coopération régionale

In her review of Guérir en Afrique. Promesses et transformations, Géraldine Vernerey-Kopp examines a collective volume edited by Alice Desclaux, Aïssa Diarra, and Sandrine Musso. The book investigates the concept of healing in various African settings through a multidisciplinary and constructivist lens. Spread over 14 chapters and four parts, the work explores healing as a therapeutic promise, a collective construction, an individual perception, and a global health issue. It highlights the complexities of medical pluralism, the interaction between biomedicine, traditional, and religious healing systems, and the challenge of defining “healing” in chronic or socially constructed illnesses. Although the notion of healing sometimes remains elusive, the book offers valuable insights to rethink healthcare systems and the role of local therapeutic knowledge in Africa and beyond.

Power, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Customs, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

Angeline Savadogo's article explores the shifting nature of foreign policy in the Sahel, once confined to diplomatic elites but now influenced by active youth participation. Young people, educated or not, increasingly engage with geopolitics—through protests, demands for sovereignty, and symbolic actions—reflecting a politicized but often under-informed citizenry. The article highlights the institutional void: youth centers are dysfunctional, formal diplomacy remains distant, and international norms like the Vienna Convention are little known. Social media becomes the main outlet for expression. Savadogo calls for inclusive strategic thinking involving youth, scholars, and institutions. She advocates for integrating international relations into educational systems and fostering participatory diplomacy. In the Sahel’s shifting geopolitical landscape, youth are not passive observers—they are emerging actors. Without structured engagement, they risk becoming destabilizing forces instead of constructive agents of change.

Sovereignty, Governance, Youth, Democracy

From November 29 to 30, 2023, the Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub-Saharan Africa of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) organized a regional workshop in Dakar focusing on crises in West Africa. Gathering academics, researchers, and civil society actors from eight countries, discussions addressed democratic, security, and institutional challenges in the region. Participants highlighted the negative impact of crises on political stability, governance, and regional integration, particularly within ECOWAS. The workshop emphasized the need to rethink democratic models, considering local contexts and the aspirations of populations. Recommendations were made to strengthen the rule of law, promote inclusive governance, and revitalize regional cooperation to build more resilient and legitimate institutions.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Regional integration

This article investigates the compounded vulnerabilities faced by deaf people in Burkina Faso, particularly in relation to health, education, and economic survival. Due to lack of adapted information and communication, especially on sexual health, deaf individuals—especially women are disproportionately exposed to risks such as unprotected sex, sexual violence, and clandestine abortions. The study draws on qualitative fieldwork conducted between 2014 and 2017, highlighting how many deaf individuals become involved in exploitative transnational begging networks. The research advocates for inclusive public policies that integrate sign language into education and healthcare systems, and stresses the urgent need to recognize the specific challenges faced by deaf people in West Africa. The article reveals the intersection of disability, gender, and poverty in shaping access to rights and services.

Gender, Security, Social, Health, Discrimination, Marginalisation, Santé sexuelle, Disability

Food insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel stems from structural issues aggravated by conflict, political instability, climate shocks, and underinvestment in agriculture. In 2023, an estimated 86.5 million people face food insecurity, despite a regional cereal output of 76 million tons. A healthy diet remains unaffordable for most due to high food prices and poor dietary diversity. Current responses—such as PREGEC, the Harmonized Framework, school feeding programs, and cash transfers—are commendable but inadequate in scope. Efforts are needed to modernize agriculture, improve infrastructure, enhance regional cooperation, and diversify funding sources. Market dynamics, low use of improved inputs, and heavy reliance on imports hinder food sovereignty. The report advocates for systemic, integrated governance, support to local producers, and more resilient agricultural systems to ensure nutrition security and sustainable development.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh