The article “Crises and Knowledge Production: A State of Universities in the Sahel”, published by WATHI on June 26, 2024, highlights how political instability, terrorism, and chronic underfunding have severely weakened universities in the Sahel. These institutions suffer from repeated strikes, staff emigration, reduced budgets, and a lack of connection between academic research and policymaking. Yet, universities hold critical potential to understand and address crises through interdisciplinary research. However, a major gap persists between academic outputs and their integration into decision-making processes. The article calls for a shift: universities should be recognized as strategic centers for crisis analysis. It recommends enhanced investment in local research, stronger collaboration between scholars and policymakers, and efforts to ensure that knowledge production informs public policy and societal needs.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Social, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

One year after Bassirou Diomaye Faye (PASTEF) was elected President of Senegal, this report reviews key reforms undertaken. The year was marked by a transition period, the appointment of technocrats, and judicial reforms including the creation of a Financial Judicial Unit. Despite economic measures (price cuts, public finance audits, the launch of “Senegal 2050”), the high cost of living remains a challenge. In foreign policy, the government has asserted its sovereignty by initiating the closure of French military bases and renegotiating international agreements. However, public expectations remain high, particularly concerning gender parity, transparency, reduction of state spending, and youth employment. Political debate still overshadows substantive discussions on public policy reforms.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

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.

Political party, Political Power, Governance, Democracy, Political participation

On March 7, 2025, Tunisia withdrew its declaration under Article 34(6) of the African Charter’s Protocol, removing direct access for citizens and NGOs to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR), unless through the African Commission or another State party. This decision follows similar withdrawals by Rwanda (2016), Tanzania (2019), Benin and Côte d’Ivoire (2020), significantly weakening individual access mechanisms. Now, only seven African countries maintain this direct access. The authors highlight a trend of sovereignist backtracking, where states prioritize political control over continental justice, potentially to evade accountability. They warn this pattern undermines Africa’s human rights protection system and calls for a critical debate on balancing national sovereignty with supranational judicial oversight.

Sovereignty, Governance, Justice, Human Rights

The article "Beijing +30: Senegalese Women Still Awaiting Strong Political Commitment," written by Marième Cissé and published on May 30, 2025, on WATHI's website, examines the progress and ongoing challenges in gender equality in Senegal, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration. Despite advancements such as the parity law and policies against gender-based violence, obstacles remain, including stagnant female political representation, labor market inequalities, and persistent gender-based violence. The article emphasizes that these issues should not be sidelined but require strong political commitment and concrete actions to ensure genuine gender equality.

Governance, Gender, Women, Violence, EMPLOYMENT, Political participation, Inclusion, Equality, Women's rights

The article outlines the evolution of U.S. policy in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel. Initially focused on diplomatic engagement during the Cold War, the policy shifted in the 1990s to address economic and security challenges. Initiatives like AGOA, PEPFAR, and Power Africa were introduced. Militarily, the establishment of AFRICOM in 2007 signaled a commitment to counterterrorism efforts. Programs such as the Pan-Sahelian Initiative aimed to strengthen the capacities of Sahelian countries. The article also highlights U.S.-France collaboration in counterterrorism, while advocating for greater transparency and a shift towards actions that promote socio-economic development.

Governance, Influence

In this article published by WATHI, Said Djinnit, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, and El-Ghassim Wane emphasize the critical historical turning point Africa is facing amid global geopolitical shifts. Drawing inspiration from Salim Ahmed Salim’s visionary 1990 report, the authors call for a unified, strategic response. Despite significant political, legal, and economic frameworks (Agenda 2063, AfCFTA, peace and governance instruments), the gap between normative ambition and implementation remains troubling. The weakening of multilateralism, declining development aid, and Africa’s growing marginalization highlight the urgency of rethinking African political action around the effective execution of its commitments. The authors advocate for a new founding report—initiated by the African Union—that mobilizes all sectors of society and provides a clear, ambitious, and actionable vision for the continent’s future. The time for bold, unified leadership and concrete delivery is now.

Governance, International cooperation

The article by Joseph Siegle and Hany Wahila, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, explores the democratic implications of Africa’s 2025 elections. In a context of declining democratic norms, ten elections are scheduled across West and Central Africa, many of which are expected to be heavily orchestrated. The authors highlight how incumbent regimes manipulate electoral institutions to retain power. The article stresses the importance of distinguishing genuinely competitive elections from staged ones. Independent observers, media, and civil society play a critical role in defending electoral integrity. These elections will serve as a major credibility test for democracy in Africa.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Election, Gold, Human security

Nate Allen’s article, published on May 6, 2025, by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, examines the destabilizing proliferation of military drones across Africa. Due to declining costs and technological accessibility, 31 African states and several non-state armed groups now deploy drones for intelligence, surveillance, and attacks. The analysis identifies four major trends: accelerated procurement, Turkey’s rising influence as a supplier, growing domestic production capacities, and increased usage by non-state actors. The article illustrates drones’ transformative yet limited impact in conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya. Despite offering tactical advantages, drones are less effective against guerrilla tactics and do not replace the need for effective ground forces. Proxy dynamics further dilute decisive outcomes. The author calls for African governments to adopt a nuanced understanding, combining counter-drone capabilities with a comprehensive operational doctrine.

Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Military activity, Human security, Threat