Other documents that may interest you :

• Vidéo / Governance, Security and human rights,

  ECOWAS Marks 50 Years in Lagos Amid New Alliances and Security Challenges 03/06/2025

  Summary :

  On the occasion of ECOWAS's 50th anniversary, West African leaders meet in Lagos amid regional turmoil marked by insecurity, the withdrawal of Mali, B...

  Read more

  Country : Burkina Faso , Mali , Niger , Nigeria , Senegal , Togo , Liberia , Guinea-Bissau

  Organizations : WATHI, France 24
  Follow
Vidéo / Governance, Security and human rights,
ECOWAS Marks 50 Years in Lagos Amid New Alliances and Security Challenges 03/06/2025
Summary :
On the occasion of ECOWAS's 50th anniversary, West African leaders meet in Lagos amid regional turmoil marked by insecurity, the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, declining international aid, and stricter U.S. tariffs. Analysts Jean-Claude Felix-Tchicaya (IPSE), Gilles Yabi (WATHI), and France 24’s Moise Gomis examine the crisis facing the bloc. ECOWAS's influence is waning, and its credibility is challenged due to inconsistent responses to military coups and a perceived disconnect from citizens’ needs. The panel stresses the urgency of redefining ECOWAS’s purpose, focusing on regional security, cooperation, and socioeconomic development. To remain relevant, the organization must propose a coherent, inclusive vision that resonates with member states and their populations.
Keywords :
Governance, Security, Democracy, Diplomacy, Crisis, Coopération régionale
Organizations :
WATHI, France 24
Follow
• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Parties Shape Democracy: Theory and Practice from a Global Perspective 10/06/2025

  Summary :

  This work examines the pivotal role of political parties in modern democracy. Parties embody and structure electoral competition, develop programs, mo...

  Read more

  Country : Gambia , Mali , Ivory Coste

  Organizations : Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, WATHI
  Follow
Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Parties Shape Democracy: Theory and Practice from a Global Perspective 10/06/2025
Summary :
This work examines the pivotal role of political parties in modern democracy. Parties embody and structure electoral competition, develop programs, mobilize citizens, and uphold the separation of powers. Confronting a global "democratic recession"—marked by curtailed freedoms, concentrated authority, corruption, and weakened independent media—the author positions parties as potential bulwarks. In West Africa, civic space restrictions and military interventions threaten democratic processes; parties can reintroduce dialogue, articulate social interests, and offer political alternatives. The text stresses the need for genuine pluralism: without party diversity, democracy cannot exist. The book also compares international dynamics (India, Brazil, Europe, United States), showing that challenges are global, and advocates strengthening parties through transparent structures, ethical leadership, and autonomy to restore public trust.
Keywords :
Political party, Political Power, Governance, Democracy, Political participation
Organizations :
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, WATHI
Follow
• Journal article / Governance,

  Countering the Wave of Democratic Backsliding and the Crisis of Democracy in West Africa 24/10/2025

  Summary :

  The article examines the wave of democratic backsliding in West Africa, highlighting main drivers : increased military influence in politics, electora...

  Read more

  Country : Burkina Faso , Mali , Niger , Nigeria , Senegal , Ivory Coste , Togo , Guinea , Ghana , Liberia , Sierra Leone

  Organizations : SAGE Publications (via la revue Insight on Africa)
  Follow
Journal article / Governance,
Countering the Wave of Democratic Backsliding and the Crisis of Democracy in West Africa 24/10/2025
Summary :
The article examines the wave of democratic backsliding in West Africa, highlighting main drivers : increased military influence in politics, electoral manipulation, constitutional changes benefiting incumbents, and lack of economic dividends for citizens. To counter this trend, the author suggests (1) addressing causes of military intervention particularly poor socio-economic conditions, (2) building trust in institutions such as the judiciary, media and electoral bodies, and (3) enhancing the role of civil society. Overall, the argument is that only through stronger governance institutions and better socio-economic outcomes for citizens can the trend of democratic decline be reversed.
Keywords :
Governance, Democracy, Institution
Organizations :
SAGE Publications (via la revue Insight on Africa)
Follow
• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing 25/08/2025

  Summary :

  The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Afr...

  Read more

  Country : Burkina Faso , Cameroon , Mali , Ivory Coste

  Organizations : WATHI
  Follow
Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing 25/08/2025
Summary :
The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa. Jean-Marc Segoun highlights “hybrid” regimes—whether civilian or military—sustaining power through gerontocracy, clientelism, militarization, and coercive use of law. These systems foster fear, resignation, and silence political opposition while curtailing fundamental freedoms. Recent examples include the dissolution of political parties in Mali, repression in Burkina Faso, civil rights restrictions in Côte d’Ivoire, and entrenched authoritarianism in Cameroon. The author argues that civil society must move beyond neutrality to become a political force proposing viable alternatives. This requires building networks, sharing practices, and inventing new paradigms suited to contexts of repression. “Substantive democracy” is proposed as a framework to resist authoritarianism, regenerate political thought, and offer pathways toward inclusive governance in societies where traditional democracy has been hollowed out.
Keywords :
Governance, Democracy, Civil Society
Organizations :
WATHI
Follow