This regional report by Action Against Hunger assesses vegetation biomass production in the Sahel during the 2025 growing season using satellite imagery and climatic data. It finds that the 2025 rainy season was generally normal to above average across Sahelian countries, resulting in good to very good biomass production, exceeding the 25-year average, though remaining below the exceptional levels observed in 2024. Central Sahel areas, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, recorded significant positive anomalies, while localized deficits persist in western Senegal, south-western Mauritania and the Lake Chad basin. In coastal countries, biomass production remains below average despite slight improvement compared to 2024. The report indicates that pastoral vulnerability for the 2026 dry season is generally low; however, insecurity, restrictions on transhumant movements and livestock concentration significantly constrain access to grazing resources, increasing the risk of early and difficult pastoral lean periods in several zones.

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

The article assesses progress and remaining challenges in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic framework aimed at building an integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and globally influential Africa by 2063. Organized around seven core aspirations, the Agenda is operationalized through ten-year implementation plans and flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Single African Air Transport Market, the African passport, and a continental high-speed rail network. The first ten-year plan (2014-2023) indicates that Africa has achieved slightly more than half of its targets, particularly in infrastructure development, economic integration, digital connectivity, and visa reforms. However, significant obstacles remain, including persistent financing gaps, uneven national implementation, regional insecurity, and limited institutional capacity. The article emphasizes that the long-term success of Agenda 2063 depends on stronger domestic resource mobilization, improved governance, and, critically, greater ownership by African citizens and the diaspora.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Development, Gold, Human security, water

The article examines Guinea’s recent macroeconomic performance and future outlook, drawing on the African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook 2024. In 2023, Guinea’s economy demonstrated strong resilience, with GDP growth estimated at 5.7%, driven mainly by agriculture and mining activities, particularly investments related to the Simandou iron ore project. Inflation declined, while public debt and the fiscal deficit remained within ECOWAS convergence criteria. Nevertheless, external vulnerabilities persist, notably a high current account deficit and declining foreign exchange reserves. Economic growth is expected to slow to 4.2% in 2024 due to fuel shortages and reduced electricity supply, before rebounding in 2025 as energy conditions improve. The article emphasizes the importance of structural reforms and global financial architecture reform to mobilize sustainable financing, enhance domestic resource mobilization, attract foreign direct investment, and support Guinea’s transition toward diversified, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth.

Governance, Natural ressources, Inclusion, Economic growth

This Afrobarometer report examines Guinean citizens’ perceptions of gender equality in education, employment, land ownership, and political participation. The findings reveal persistent gender disparities, particularly in access to secondary and post-secondary education and in control over economic assets such as mobile phones, vehicles, and bank accounts. Despite these inequalities, a majority of Guineans oppose the idea that men should be prioritized in hiring when jobs are scarce and support equal rights to land ownership and inheritance. Regarding political participation, 70% of respondents believe women should be eligible for political office on the same basis as men, although many acknowledge social risks, including harassment and family tensions, faced by female candidates. Overall, public dissatisfaction with government performance is high: more than half of respondents rate state efforts to promote gender equality as poor, and 72% believe the government should do more—many calling for significantly stronger action.

Politics, Governance, Gender, Political participation, Equality, Women's rights

Issue 34 of the Sahel Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin highlights an overall improvement in pastoral conditions across the region during August–September 2025. Pasture and water availability is generally satisfactory, contributing to good livestock body condition. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with some areas experiencing low vegetation cover while others face excess water and flooding risks. Livestock markets are mostly accessible, yet rising animal prices combined with fluctuating cereal prices continue to negatively affect terms of trade for pastoralists in several locations. From a health perspective, outbreaks of animal and human diseases have been reported, requiring increased monitoring. Security conditions remain fragile in parts of the region, marked by recurrent livestock theft and increased pressure on pastoral resources due to the presence of displaced and refugee populations.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Health, Information, Marché, water

In this opinion piece, Seny Diawara examines the political and psychological dynamics between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The article argues that current tensions within the executive stem less from institutional conflict than from contrasting personal trajectories and sources of legitimacy. The President embodies a delegated form of authority still under consolidation, leading him to broaden his political alliances to secure credibility. By contrast, the Prime Minister derives a charismatic legitimacy shaped through struggle, repression, and sustained popular support, relying on a loyal and compact inner circle. These two leadership styles generate divergent interpretations of political decisions, fueling mistrust and symbolic rivalry. In a fragile regional context marked by political transitions and security tensions, the author advocates a “psychopolitical” solution: a tacit but firm pact defining roles, consultation mechanisms, and communication channels, enabling complementarity rather than competition and safeguarding Senegal’s political stability.

Politics, Power, Governance, Transition

The report demonstrates a sharp deterioration of Mali’s security situation since the military junta seized power in 2020. Violence by militant Islamist groups has surged and now covers every region, including areas close to Bamako. Maps throughout the report (pp. 1–4) show the rapid geographic expansion of attacks. In 2023, Mali is on track to exceed 1,000 violent events, nearly triple the level recorded when the junta took power. Focused on consolidating its rule, the junta alienated regional and international security partners and demanded the withdrawal of the 15,000-strong UN mission (MINUSMA), pushing northern Mali to the brink of renewed civil war. The arrival of Russia-linked Wagner forces has worsened abuses, with more than 320 human rights violations documented. In the center and south, FLM, JNIM, and ISGS have strengthened their operations. State authority is collapsing as civilians face escalating attacks, instability, and governance breakdown.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The article examines the rise of pro-government NGOs in Nigeria, used by political elites to suppress independent civic voices. Historically resilient, Nigeria’s civil society has come under pressure as the government has become more illiberal, especially since Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015. Over 360 pro-government NGOs—often unregistered, short-lived, and connected through overlapping patronage networks—have emerged to praise the regime, attack critics, manipulate public narratives, and legitimize authoritarian practices. These groups rely on sycophancy, ad hominem attacks, opaque funding, orchestrated media appearances, and ties with fringe news platforms. Their activities erode democracy by discrediting genuine civil society, undermining accountability, spreading anti-democratic discourse, and reducing the effectiveness of international support. The article also profiles key actors such as Philip Agbese and Bosede Ajibola and outlines policy recommendations to counter the growing influence of this “fake civil society.”

Governance, Medias, Civil Society, Disinformation

The article highlights Guinea-Bissau’s adoption of a blockchain-based platform to improve public payroll management, transparency, and governance. Developed with support from the IMF, Ernst & Young, and financial partners, this digital solution secures payroll and pension data and enables near–real-time tracking of eligibility, budgeting, payment approvals, and salary disbursements. It greatly enhances data integrity and facilitates timely budget reporting for policymakers and the public. Between 2020 and 2024, the payroll-to-revenue ratio fell from 84% to 50%, a notable improvement though still above the WAEMU convergence target of 35%. The project is being expanded across ministries and aims to cover data for more than 34,700 civil servants and retirees. The initiative demonstrates both technological progress and the country’s commitment to strengthening fiscal governance and institutional trust.

Governance, Politique publique, Funding, Transparency