Other documents that may interest you :

• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing 25/08/2025

  Summary :

  The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Afr...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Cameroon , Mali , Ivory Coste

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing 25/08/2025
Summary :
The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa. Jean-Marc Segoun highlights “hybrid” regimes—whether civilian or military—sustaining power through gerontocracy, clientelism, militarization, and coercive use of law. These systems foster fear, resignation, and silence political opposition while curtailing fundamental freedoms. Recent examples include the dissolution of political parties in Mali, repression in Burkina Faso, civil rights restrictions in Côte d’Ivoire, and entrenched authoritarianism in Cameroon. The author argues that civil society must move beyond neutrality to become a political force proposing viable alternatives. This requires building networks, sharing practices, and inventing new paradigms suited to contexts of repression. “Substantive democracy” is proposed as a framework to resist authoritarianism, regenerate political thought, and offer pathways toward inclusive governance in societies where traditional democracy has been hollowed out.
Keywords :
Governance, Democracy, Civil Society
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Everywhere, the Moral Failure of Political Leaders Endangers Democracy and Peace 17/06/2025

  Summary :

  The “Ça fait débat avec Wathi” episode highlights that the moral failure of many political leaders worldwide threatens democracy and social peace. Gue...

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  Country : Ivory Coste , Guinea

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Everywhere, the Moral Failure of Political Leaders Endangers Democracy and Peace 17/06/2025
Summary :
The “Ça fait débat avec Wathi” episode highlights that the moral failure of many political leaders worldwide threatens democracy and social peace. Guests emphasize that abuses of power, corruption, populism, and disregard for public ethics fuel violence and fear of the future. This crisis of trust affects both major Western democracies and African nations, where authoritarian drift undermines social cohesion. The speakers call for an ethical renewal, the restoration of integrity, and accountability from leaders to prevent conflict escalation and safeguard democratic balance.
Keywords :
Politics, Bribery, Governance, Peace, Democracy, Violence
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Podcast / Governance,

  There will be no ECOWAS of the people with authoritarian states and gagged citizens 26/08/2025

  Summary :

  The article “There will be no ECOWAS of the people with authoritarian states and gagged citizens,” by Pape Abdou Ndour, published on August 24, 2025 b...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Mali , Niger

  Organizations : WATHI
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Podcast / Governance,
There will be no ECOWAS of the people with authoritarian states and gagged citizens 26/08/2025
Summary :
The article “There will be no ECOWAS of the people with authoritarian states and gagged citizens,” by Pape Abdou Ndour, published on August 24, 2025 by WATHI – Think Tank citoyen, emphasizes that ECOWAS––founded in 1975––has fostered a sense of belonging among diverse West African populations and contributed significantly to regional peace and security. Yet, this anniversary coincides with troubling developments: the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the normalization of violence, growing impunity, erosion of fundamental freedoms, and increasing militarization. The author argues that without adherence to democracy, rule of law, and citizens’ rights, there can be no “ECOWAS of the people.” The rising trend of sovereignty-driven resistance to integration is depicted as a serious threat to regional peace and development.
Keywords :
Politics, Governance, Democracy, Liberté, Regional integration
Organizations :
WATHI
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• Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,

  Freedom to Inform: A Democratic Safeguard Under Pressure in West Africa? 17/11/2025

  Summary :

  The article examines the severe decline in press freedom across West Africa, highlighted by the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index. Eleven of the region’s s...

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  Country : Burkina Faso , Gambia , Mali , Mauritania , Niger , Nigeria , Senegal , Benin , Ivory Coste , Togo , Guinea , Ghana , Liberia , Guinea-Bissau , Sierra Leone , Cape Verde

  Organizations : WATHI
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Academic analysis and Think Tank / Governance,
Freedom to Inform: A Democratic Safeguard Under Pressure in West Africa? 17/11/2025
Summary :
The article examines the severe decline in press freedom across West Africa, highlighted by the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index. Eleven of the region’s sixteen countries fell in the ranking, with dramatic drops in Guinea (-31 positions), Burkina Faso (-19), and Guinea-Bissau (-18). This regression reflects a shrinking civic space driven by military regimes, media suspensions, arrests of journalists, and state propaganda. Even countries without constitutional breakdowns, such as Senegal and Benin, face major challenges—economic collapse of the media sector in Senegal and restrictive digital legislation in Benin. In this context, organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have become essential, providing training, protection, and visibility to journalists through initiatives such as WAMECA 2025. The article also warns about the surge of disinformation campaigns targeting the region and stresses the importance of public digital infrastructures to maintain a democratic, open, and reliable information space.
Keywords :
State, Democracy, Liberté de presse, Disinformation
Organizations :
WATHI
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