This Policy Brief analyzes how population displacements have accelerated urbanization in secondary cities across the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. These cities, already marked by infrastructural shortcomings, face mounting pressure on housing, land use, and basic services. The massive influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) reshapes social dynamics, especially gender roles, with displaced women often becoming heads of households under precarious conditions. “Non-loti” areas—informal settlements—emerge as default reception zones despite lacking infrastructure. Displaced populations are sometimes viewed with suspicion and associated with security threats. The study urges moving beyond institutional categories and quantitative data, advocating for deeper exploration of “practical norms” that govern urban life. It calls for empirical research to guide inclusive urban planning and better integration of displaced communities in fragile Sahelian contexts.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Threat, Urbanisation, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Internally displaced persons

This study, conducted by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the evolution of the jihadist threat in northern Ghana and Togo. It highlights the expansion of terrorist groups towards the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, facilitated by the deteriorating security situation in Burkina Faso and Mali. The study examines the varying levels of threat in these West African countries and emphasizes the importance of intergovernmental approaches to counter jihadist terrorism. It is based on field research conducted by local teams and Promediation consultants in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea regions.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Cooperation, International cooperation

This study, conducted by the Regional Programme Political Dialogue in West Africa (PDWA) of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in collaboration with Promediation, analyzes the expansion of jihadist groups from the Sahel into the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea. Originating from Burkina Faso, where certain regions are beyond state control, these groups are moving southward, utilizing border national parks as strategic retreat areas and sources of funding. The study emphasizes the urgency for coastal countries to strengthen regional cooperation and implement tailored strategies to contain this growing threat.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Jihad, Threat

This OSAR report, published on March 31, 2025, provides a critical overview of access to mental health care in Burkina Faso. Despite a high prevalence of mental disorders (over 33% of the population), care availability remains extremely limited, with just around ten psychiatrists nationwide—mostly in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Social stigma, lack of legal protection, insufficient qualified staff, and high treatment costs severely restrict access. Psychotropic medications such as sertraline and quetiapine are available but not covered, requiring out-of-pocket payments. NGOs partially bridge state gaps by offering psychosocial support and mobile clinics. The report highlights the need for post-traumatic support, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and calls for urgent investment in public mental health services. It stresses the importance of legal frameworks, workforce training, and destigmatization campaigns to improve care access and outcomes.

Security, Déplacement forcé, Santé mentale, Accessibility

The infographic “Are Mobile Public Services a Solution for the Sahel?” summarizes a multi-country study conducted in Fada N’Gourma (Burkina Faso), Gao (Mali), and Hodh El Chargui (Mauritania). The research explores the challenges faced by underserved or excluded populations in accessing public services due to geographical, economic, structural, cultural, and psychological distances. The study reveals limited public service coverage in peripheral areas, heightened mistrust of the state under insecurity, but also a widespread demand for its return. Promising local innovations include multi-service market hubs, rural FM radio stations, and a decentralized infrastructure failure alert system. While critiques often target frontline agents, the state itself remains a symbol of legitimate authority. The study combines mapping, 441 interviews, and 21 focus groups in 22 localities across the three countries.

Power, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Public Administration, Human security, Social, Customs

This panel, organized by Afrikajom Center in Dakar, brought together intellectuals, researchers, and civil society actors to examine the resurgence of military coups in West Africa. Discussions highlighted the failure of democratic transitions, the decline of the Baule model, widespread corruption, constitutional manipulation, and the perceived illegitimacy of ECOWAS. Speakers, including Gilles Yabi, Ndioro Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed the importance of military ethics, geopolitical shifts, and the weakening of rule of law and political representation. The debate underscored citizens’ growing support for military takeovers in contexts where civilian governments fail. Recommendations emphasized the need for endogenous reforms, strict term limits, strengthened democratic institutions, and the inclusion of civil society in regional governance frameworks. The event concluded with a call for bold, culturally rooted actions to address West Africa’s democratic and security crises.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Réforme, Coup d'État

This report presents the outcomes of a regional forum held in Dakar in November 2020, aimed at analyzing responses to violent extremism in the Sahel. It highlights the root causes of insecurity: poor governance, lack of basic services, social exclusion, and state-perpetrated violence. Four panels addressed the rule of law, institutional responses, human rights abuses, and peacebuilding. Recommendations emphasize the need for a holistic approach combining social justice, human security, and the active participation of women and youth. The report calls for institutional reform, acknowledgment of societal pluralism, and deeper community involvement in counter-radicalization efforts.

Governance, Security, Extremism, Human security, Violence, Radicalisation, Rule of law

The Afrikajom Center colloquium, held in Dakar from March 8–10, 2023, gathered experts, researchers, and political actors to reflect on the multifaceted crisis facing democracy in West Africa. Discussions highlighted growing authoritarianism (e.g., third terms, state capture, rollback of freedoms), weak institutions, corruption, and the exclusion of youth and women. Participants called for a democratic renewal rooted in African contexts: checks on presidential power, independent judiciary, civic participation, inclusive governance, constitutional reform, and strengthened accountability. The event emphasized the need to rethink governance amid security instability, military transitions, and institutional inefficiency. It advocated for rebuilding a generational social contract and supporting the rise of a more participatory, context-responsive African democracy fit for 21st-century challenges.

Governance, Democracy, Transition, Rule of law

This report provides a critical assessment of the state of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and governance in West Africa. It highlights three interlinked crises: security, institutional, and health-related. Despite the presence of political pluralism, the region is witnessing growing authoritarianism, the persistence of third-term presidencies, and the erosion of institutions. Dysfunctional regulatory mechanisms are fueling political unrest, violations of fundamental rights, and contested elections. Based on country-level analyses, the report recommends strengthening the role of regional organizations, civil society, and African democratic norms. The aim is to alert decision-makers and social actors to the urgent need to rebuild a substantive and inclusive democracy in the face of current threats.

Governance, Democracy, Human Rights