This article analyzes the ongoing democratic transition in Chad following the death of President Idriss Déby in 2021. While his son, Mahamat Déby, took power by circumventing the Constitution, the international community largely supported this succession, notably France, the European Union, and the United States. Despite peace agreements and a national dialogue, the transition has been marked by electoral reports and violence, such as the repression of the October 2022 protests. The author criticizes the complacency of international partners in the face of this political dynasty and emphasizes the urgent need for increasing diplomatic pressure. The opposition and certain rebel groups remain excluded from the process, making true democratization unlikely.

Politics, State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Mediation, Election, Gold, Dialogue, Transition

The Multisectoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Timbuktu and Taoudénni regions (Mali) for October-November 2024 highlights several major concerns: floods that have destroyed irrigated agricultural areas, rising rice prices, and an unstable security situation with 78 incidents reported (+21.87% compared to the previous two-month period). The agricultural situation is marked by a delay in off-season crops due to flooding. Livestock farming is improving thanks to sufficient pastureland in Timbuktu, although less favorable in Taoudénni. Access to water for livestock is generally satisfactory. Fisheries production is declining due to rising water levels. Acute malnutrition remains a concern, particularly affecting children and requiring an urgent response. Displaced populations continue to increase due to conflict, reaching 42,785 in Timbuktu and 2,899 in Taoudénni.

Culture, State, Natural ressources, Education, Family, Gold, Health, Fishing, Marché, Malnutrition

The study on traditional justice in the Sahel, carried out in two phases (2020 and 2022), analyzes the articulation between customary and state justice systems for better access to justice. It highlights the growing support of populations, including young people, for traditional justice, in the face of mistrust of formal justice, often perceived as inaccessible or inequitable. The study is based on a comparative and multidisciplinary approach, with a particular focus on the rights of women and children. The results show that customary systems, although legitimate in the eyes of the populations, have limitations, particularly in the protection of human rights. The study proposes a hybrid model integrating customary, religious, and formal justice to improve access to justice. Finally, it recommends the transcription of customary rules and awareness-raising on human rights to strengthen their complementarity with formal justice.

Gender, Natural ressources, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Customs, Threat, Researh, Knowlege production

The article “On the Unborn Fulani: Slavery, Jihad, and Human Rights in Central Mali,” written by Gilles Holder, analyzes the persistence of power relations and descent-based slavery in the hybrid conflict in central Mali since 2015. It highlights the link between 18th- and 19th-century Fulani jihads, the creation of Islamic states based on a slave economy, and contemporary dynamics of social and political revolt. The article emphasizes that the emancipation of slave descendants remains limited by secular logics of land and economic domination by former Fulani aristocracies. It also explores how current jihadist demands integrate social aspirations for emancipation. Finally, it questions the effectiveness of human rights instruments in addressing these deep-rooted inequalities.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Social, Threat

This article examines the effectiveness, attractiveness, and sustainability of social insurance mechanisms in rural Senegal, particularly through mutual health insurance schemes. Although Universal Health Coverage (CMU) relies on these mutual health insurance schemes to provide coverage to vulnerable populations, several obstacles hinder their success: difficulties in collecting contributions, delays in government payments, and heavy administrative burdens. The study aims to identify the determining factors of their operation and to explore the expansion of services to other risks (disability, death, retirement). A mixed survey was conducted, involving 1,565 participants. The results show that membership is based on financial and health motivations, but that the viability of mutual health insurance schemes requires better governance and diversified financing. Recommendations are made to improve their effectiveness and attractiveness.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Knowlege production

The study “The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Chad: The Case of the Lac and Ouaddaï Provinces” examines the implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in Chad. Despite the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) in January 2023, its implementation remains slow, particularly in the Lac and Ouaddaï provinces. The study highlights the role of women in local mediation, often limited to internal conflicts, while their participation in national peace negotiations is minimal. Gender-based violence remains a major problem, exacerbated by social norms and a lack of institutional coordination. Women’s organizations play a crucial role, but their efforts are fragmented. The study recommends strengthening local initiatives, improving coordination among stakeholders, and raising awareness to ensure the meaningful inclusion of women in peace processes.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin for the Northern Region of Côte d'Ivoire (October-November 2024) highlights several issues related to livestock and pastoralism in this border area with Burkina Faso. It reports a high concentration of livestock, sufficient pasture availability, but also growing tensions between herders and farmers, exacerbated by the arrival of Burkinabe refugees with their livestock. Despite a drop in grain prices, the terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders, weakening their purchasing power. Insecurity and cattle theft persist, impacting regional stability. The report highlights recommendations to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, particularly through health prevention actions and better natural resource management.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh

This Policy Brief, written by Abdoul Sogodogo, analyzes the relationship between the Alliance of Sahel States (ESA) and ECOWAS. It highlights the tensions between these entities, emphasizing the perception of the ESA as a response to ECOWAS's perceived ineffectiveness in security matters. The author explores the history of subregional organizations and the motivations of Sahel states to create a specific alliance, particularly in the face of the terrorist threat. The document also discusses the security, diplomatic, and economic implications of this separation, while examining the prospects for collaboration. Although the exit of the ESA countries from ECOWAS seems inevitable, economic and security interdependence requires cooperation. The brief concludes that ECOWAS and the ESA must find collaborative mechanisms to ensure regional stability.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Gold, Human security, Cooperation

The Micro-enterprise Monitoring Bulletin in the Moughataa of Bassikounou (Mauritania), published in January 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF), analyzes the performance of micro-enterprises supported as part of a project funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The report highlights the major difficulties encountered by entrepreneurs: limited access to raw materials, dependence on subsidies, and lack of additional financing. It identifies six main sectors of activity: agriculture, crafts, trade, livestock, solar equipment and services. The study highlights that 69% of entrepreneurs honor their debts, although access to credit remains limited. Recommendations are proposed, including improving financing, management training and encouraging savings. Monitoring is carried out using a digital device (Télérivet) and a dashboard accessible online.

Agriculture, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Funding