The article “Terrorism in the Sahel: the Mauritanian exception” looks at the reasons why Mauritania has not experienced jihadist attacks since 2011, unlike its Sahelian neighbors. This exceptional situation is the result of a multidimensional and pragmatic strategy, adapted to the specificities of the Sahel and to the war in the desert. Under the leadership of General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, the army underwent a major overhaul, with a substantial increase in the military budget, leading to the creation of Special Intervention Groups (GSI). These elite, light and mobile units are designed to operate autonomously in the desert. In addition, Mauritania has established fixed checkpoints on cross-border roads and has designated certain desert areas as “military zones.” This approach, combining military modernization and adaptation to local realities, has allowed the country to regain control of its territory and serve as an example in the fight against jihadist movements in the Sahel.

Security, Jihad, Terrorism

Food policies in West Africa oscillate between responding to risks and acting as a factor of insecurity. Since the 1960s, regulatory frameworks have evolved, but concrete results remain limited. These policies, influenced by complex political and economic dynamics, struggle to reconcile the divergent interests of stakeholders (consumers, producers, traders). The State plays a central but weakened role in regulating tensions between formal and informal, legal and illegal categories. Food policies often lack clear priorities and public consensus, despite the recent harmonization of strategic frameworks. They are often relegated by better-defined agricultural and health policies.

Politics, State, Agriculture, Livestock, Food security

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

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

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

This article examines the impact of climate change and population displacement on the environment in the Hodh Chargui region of southeastern Mauritania. The Sahel, including Mauritania, is particularly vulnerable to global warming, with a projected temperature increase of 3°C by 2050, leading to desertification, drought, crop degradation, and soil erosion. The prolonged presence of refugees in the Mbera camp increases pressure on local resources such as water, fuelwood, and grazing land, creating potential tensions with host communities. In response, the Mauritanian government and its partners, including UNHCR, have incorporated environmental preservation into their strategies, notably through the National Strategy for the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Regional Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity (SCAPP/SCRAPP). Reforestation initiatives have been implemented since 2016, with thousands of trees planted in and around the Mbera camp, thanks to collaboration between UNHCR, SOS Desert, RET-Germany, and local communities

Climate change, Environment, refugee, Crisis