The International Crisis Group’s “Cameroon: Prevention is Better Than Cure” article highlights the importance of dialogue between the Cameroonian government and the opposition to avoid a violent crisis before the 2018 elections. It recommends deep political and institutional reforms to address the frustrations of the Anglophone population, who feel marginalized. The article warns of the risks of instability if these concerns are not addressed, and calls for proactive action to establish peace and stability in Cameroon.

Governance, Security, Crisis management, Security Management, Vulnerability

The International Crisis Group’s article “Cameroon: Reexamining the ‘Special Status’ of the Anglophone Regions” analyses the ineffectiveness of the special status granted in 2019 to the Anglophone regions of the North-West and South-West of Cameroon in resolving the separatist crisis. This status, supposed to offer increased autonomy, was implemented unilaterally by the central government, without thorough consultation with local populations, leading to limited implementation and persistent control by Yaoundé. The article recommends reforming this special status by adopting an inclusive and consensual approach, involving local actors and civil society groups, in order to better respond to the aspirations of the Anglophone populations and foster sustainable peace.

Local Power, Governance, Security, Peace, Crisis management, Political Violence

The Crisis Group report (No. 267, 13 December 2018) examines how drug trafficking, especially cocaine and cannabis, intensifies violence in northern Mali. It outlines a “highly competitive” criminal landscape dominated by Tuareg armed groups and jihadists vying for control of illicit trade routes . The weakened Malian state struggles to assert authority, enabling shifting alliances among traffickers, local militias, and politico-military groups. The intertwining of narcotics trafficking and political stakes further destabilizes governance and fuels insecurity. The report recommends strengthening the rule of law, combating corruption, enhancing regional coordination, and launching economic development programs to provide alternatives for local communities.

Politics, Governance, Violence, Illegal activity, Trafic de drogue

The Crisis Group article “Mali: Security, Dialogue and Deep Reform” analyses the security and political situation in Mali, stressing the need for inclusive dialogue and structural reforms to stabilise the country. It highlights the importance of strengthening security, particularly in the northern and central regions, while promoting meaningful political and institutional reforms. The article also underlines the crucial role of the international community in supporting these efforts, particularly through peacekeeping missions and development initiatives. Finally, it calls for an integrated approach that combines security measures, inclusive political dialogue and deep reforms to address the complex challenges facing Mali.

Security, Dialogue, Réforme

The Crisis Group report (No. 304, 21 September 2021) examines Mali’s transition following the August 2020 and May 2021 coups. The ousting of President IBK sparked a powerful popular demand for change, but armed violence continues. The junta, led by Assimi Goïta, seeks to meet expectations through promised elections and creation of a National Transition Council, under pressure from ECOWAS and the international community. However, institutions remain weak, electoral timelines are repeatedly postponed, and military entrenchment was solidified by a 2023 constitutional referendum that may lock in power. Crisis Group urges adherence to transition timelines, credible elections, and inclusion of civil society to avoid authoritarian backsliding and fulfill citizens’ demands for genuine change.

Governance, Election, Crisis, Transition, Coup d'État

The International Crisis Group’s article “Reordering Sahel Stabilization Strategies” analyzes the limitations of current approaches to the growing insecurity in the Sahel region. It highlights that strategies focused on the security-development nexus, as well as state capacity building, are failing to stem the violence. The article calls for a revision of these strategies, with an emphasis on political dialogue, governance reform, and better coordination of military efforts with renewed political initiatives. It also calls for increased involvement of local actors and adaptation of interventions to the specific realities of each country concerned.

Politics, Dialogue, Réforme

The International Crisis Group’s “Containing the Jihadist Insurgency in West Africa’s W Park” examines the growing influence of jihadist groups in W Park, a cross-border nature reserve between Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These groups are exploiting local tensions over access to natural resources and intercommunal conflicts to strengthen their presence. The article emphasizes that purely military strategies are insufficient to counter this threat. It advocates an integrated approach combining security, socio-economic development, and dialogue with local communities to restore peace and protect the park’s biodiversity.

Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Jihad, Threat

This article by ENDA Santé highlights the worsening polycrisis scenario in the Sahel, combining armed conflict, chronic poverty, food insecurity, demographic pressure, and climate change. These intersecting challenges overwhelm health systems and constrain state capacity to ensure essential services, especially amid an anticipated dip in international funding . The piece advocates for a paradigm shift in development strategies: favoring holistic, integrated interventions, tapping local resources, strengthening community resilience, and embracing adaptive governance. ENDA Santé emphasizes the need to connect health, food security, climate action, and peacebuilding into a unified framework to effectively tackle the region’s complex challenges.

Governance, Security, Development, Health, Crisis, Inclusion

Warrantage is currently expanding in several Sahel countries. It is a credit-storage mechanism implemented by a farmers' organization in collaboration with a financial institution. The process involves storing a portion of the harvested cereals in a warehouse for a few months in exchange for an individual loan. Without this credit system, farmers tend to sell their cereals immediately after harvest to repay debts or meet their basic needs. Consequences: Families subsequently struggle to bridge the "hunger gap"—the transitional period between the depletion of stocks and the next harvest—and face challenges in investing in their agricultural production systems. An impact assessment conducted in western Burkina Faso shows that warrantage increases food availability during the hunger gap and strengthens agricultural investment and production. To accelerate its development, three conditions must be met: Access to suitable storage infrastructure, Assurance of the quality of stored products, and Establishment of strong trust-based relationships between financial institutions, producer organizations, and traders. This last condition is being undermined by the expansion of armed conflicts in the Sahel.

Governance, Agriculture, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Human security, Rural Areas, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production