The August–September 2025 Multisectoral Monitoring Bulletin by Action Against Hunger – Mali Mission presents an overview of the humanitarian, agricultural, and health situation in Timbuktu and Taoudéni regions. Pasture and hydrological conditions have improved, but agricultural performance remains uneven: Timbuktu almost met its targets, while Taoudéni lagged behind due to low rainfall. Livestock epidemics are under control, yet malnutrition and malaria cases have increased. Over 20,000 animals were vaccinated, and health centers recorded 7,064 cases of acute malnutrition in Timbuktu and 1,006 in Taoudéni. The Niger River’s rising water level disrupted fishing activities. Security conditions remain volatile, with armed group pressure and internal displacements persisting. The report urges stronger measures in security, health, agriculture, and resilience building to support affected populations.

Culture, State, Agriculture, Economic Development, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Family, Gold, Human security, Malnutrition, water

The article examines the growing influence of militant groups, especially the JNIM, in western Mali (regions of Kayes, Nioro, Diboli). After the coordinated attacks on 1 July 2025, a blockade was implemented, disrupting transport and economic flows (buses stopped, fuel tankers attacked). The Bamako–Kayes–Dakar corridor, essential for energy supply and commercial exchanges with Senegal, is now endangered. Mali is attempting to bolster its military infrastructure (including a new camp in Nioro) but struggles to maintain a lasting presence, while the terrorists favour high-impact, mobile operations rather than permanent occupation. Senegal is engaging in mixed border patrols, recognizing that the threat, although diffuse, remains real.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Terrorism, Economic growth

The article Managing Election Violence and Sustaining Peace and Security in West Africa, authored by Professor Charles Ukeje and Dr. Wale Olusola, explores the persistent issue of electoral violence and its impact on peace and democratic consolidation in West Africa. Published in November 2023 by the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) and GPPAC West Africa, the paper argues that elections—meant to strengthen democracy—often fuel insecurity. It highlights both structural (poverty, unemployment, exclusion) and immediate (hate speech, manipulation, external influence) causes of electoral violence. The authors recommend returning to civilian rule, promoting peace education, reforming political parties, and enhancing collaboration among ECOWAS, civil society, and development partners. The report underscores that inclusive and peaceful elections are essential to sustaining regional stability and democratic governance.

Gender, Security, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Political Violence, Election, Human security, Violence, Threat

The 2025 Mid-Season Regional Biomass Bulletin by Action Against Hunger (ACF) provides an overview of agro-environmental conditions across the Sahel and West Africa. It reports that overall biomass production is average to good, except in specific zones of Mali, Niger, Chad, and northern Burkina Faso where vegetation remains below normal. Irregular rainfall and uneven temporal distribution have delayed the agricultural season in several pastoral regions, affecting pasture regeneration and water availability for livestock. The bulletin warns of potential rapid degradation of natural resources and emphasizes the need for continuous agro-pastoral monitoring through the end of the season to prevent food and livelihood crises.

Economic Development, Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Researh, Knowlege production

This article highlights the role of Professional Military Education (PME) institutions in fostering professional, apolitical African armies committed to constitutional defense and democratic governance. The urgency to strengthen PME has grown amid rising military politicization and a wave of coups since 2020 (Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Sudan). Africa hosts over 118 military schools, including War Colleges, Staff Colleges, and Military Academies across the continent. However, the mere existence of these institutions does not guarantee stronger professionalism: their impact depends on curriculum quality, democratic values integration, and robust civil-military relations. Surveys show young African officers hold strong ideals of public service, but these must be reinforced by tailored, context-sensitive training. The article stresses that not all countries require costly war colleges; regional cooperation can fill gaps. Strengthening PME is presented as a key step to professionalize African militaries and support democratic transitions.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Gold, Human security, Threat

This Policy Brief examines the Sahel’s complex crisis, rooted in insecurity, poverty, marginalization, and weak governance. The author critiques military-centered strategies, particularly those led by the European Union, as misaligned with local needs and overly focused on migration control and counterterrorism. Mahssoun argues that such approaches deepen dependency and fail to resolve underlying causes. Instead, she advocates for an African-led response based on regional integration, South-South cooperation, and inclusive socio-economic programs. Initiatives such as the Liptako-Gourma Charter and the Atlantic Africa Initiative are highlighted as promising models, combining security measures with economic development, regional value chains, and community resilience. The recommendations emphasize investments in education, job creation, healthcare, and strategic infrastructure, while fostering local ownership and participation. This Pan-African approach seeks to provide a sustainable pathway to peace and development in the Sahel.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Peace, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Regional integration

This article examines South–South security cooperation in Africa through the case of the G5 Sahel. The authors argue that regional organisations, despite being guided by the mantra of “African solutions to African problems,” remain rigid, underfunded, and donor-dependent. In this context, ad hoc initiatives such as the G5 Sahel and the Accra Initiative have proliferated, appearing more flexible and context-sensitive. However, these often become “zombified” institutions shaped by external funding and donor agendas. The G5 Sahel exemplifies this paradox: while it failed to curb insecurity, it nonetheless fostered military cooperation and generated new forms of African agency. This “productive failure” illustrates how Sahelian states repurpose constraints into political opportunities, reassert sovereignty, and engage in new bilateral or regional arrangements, including the creation of the Alliance des États du Sahel (AES).

State, Economic Development, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Cooperation, Threat, Knowlege production

This article focuses on intelligence sharing in the Sahel region, analyzing cooperation among African states as well as interactions between regional actors and external powers. The author discusses how intelligence is shared or withheld based on strategic, security, or sovereignty considerations, and highlights challenges such as trust deficits, institutional capacity gaps, and power asymmetries. Even when cooperation frameworks exist, their effectiveness is often undermined by rivalries, resource constraints, or contradictory policies. The study offers concrete case studies illustrating barriers to cooperation, along with proposals to strengthen information-sharing mechanisms (legal frameworks, harmonization, regional governance). In the Sahel context, the article argues that better integration of intelligence is vital for more effective counter-extremism efforts and regional stability.

Governance, Extremism, Cooperation, Violence, Institution, Instabilité

This article highlights the urgent need to restore trust between communities in West Africa, in the face of growing intercommunal violence, particularly targeting the Fulani. Binta Sidibé Gascon, president of the Kisal Observatory, denounces abuses in Burkina Faso where Fulani populations are accused of collusion with armed groups and subjected to arbitrary arrests, summary executions, and massacres. She even uses the term “ethnic cleansing.” Such violence, perpetuated by impunity, fuels terrorist recruitment and undermines social cohesion. The article stresses that many Fulani are themselves victims of terrorism and that conflating an entire community with extremism deepens the cycle of violence. Two studies are recommended: one on mistrust toward Fulani communities in Côte d’Ivoire, and another on cattle rustling in the Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana border area. The author calls for moving beyond prejudice in order to preserve peaceful coexistence in West Africa.

Cultural identity, Governance, Pastoralism, Conflict, Counter terrorism, Violence, Communautarism, Insécurité, Impunity, Transhumance