The article "Responding to the Rise of Violent Extremism in the Sahel", authored by Pauline Le Roux and published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on January 14, 2020, examines the escalation of violent extremism in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. It highlights the strategies of militant Islamist groups, notably the Macina Liberation Front (FLM) and Ansaroul Islam, which exploit feelings of marginalization among certain communities, especially young Fulani herders, to recruit members. These groups leverage charismatic leaders and structured ideologies to attract followers. The article also underscores the challenges faced by local security forces, including resource constraints and allegations of human rights abuses, which further erode trust among local populations. To counter this growing threat, the article recommends an integrated approach combining enhanced security measures with inclusive development initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of violent extremism.

Security, Extremism, Violence, Marginalisation, Recruitment

The article published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on September 12, 2023, explores the worsening security crisis in Burkina Faso following the 2022 military coups. Islamist militant groups, including Katibat Hanifa and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, have escalated attacks, surrounding Ouagadougou and controlling nearly half the national territory. This violence has led to a 165% increase in civilian deaths over 18 months, the displacement of over 2.1 million people, and the closure of 6,134 schools, affecting more than a million students. Approximately 800,000 people across over two dozen towns are besieged by these armed groups. The instability has spilled into neighboring regions in Mali, Niger, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, posing a major threat to regional security.

Jihad, Insécurité, Crise humanitaire

The article titled "Nous ne sommes peut-être pas instruites mais nous avons beaucoup d’abnégation et savons qui nous sommes, avec beaucoup d’expérience sur le terrain politique" features the testimony of Adja Absa Laye Souaré, a fish seller and municipal councilor in Thiès, Senegal. Active in politics since 1986, she has successively been involved with the Socialist Party, the Senegalese Democratic Party, and later Rewmi. She emphasizes that, although some women lack formal education, they possess significant determination and political experience. Adja Absa Laye Souaré highlights the importance of active female participation in decision-making bodies and denounces their instrumentalization in politics. She calls for increased support to strengthen women's capacities and promote their access to leadership positions, considering their close ties with local populations as a major asset for local development.

Gender, Development, Women, Political participation, Inclusion

The podcast addresses the release of shocking videos showing acts of extreme violence in the Solenzo region of western Burkina Faso on March 10 and 11, 2025. These videos, analyzed by Human Rights Watch, reveal the presence of local militias, including the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), involved in summary executions of civilians, including women and children. The article emphasizes the need not to become accustomed to such atrocities and calls for collective awareness to combat the normalization of extreme violence, which represents an existential threat to Burkina Faso and the entire region.

Security, Political Violence, Military activity, Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP)

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

Over the past three decades, participation in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa has grown at an accelerating pace. However, enrollment rates remain modest compared to other developing regions. This growth has not kept pace with population growth and pent-up demand for higher education. Data on participation by social or ethnic group are limited, making it difficult to assess the equitable distribution of this expansion. Studies indicate that the "massification" of higher education has not yet occurred in the region, with significant variations by gender, geography, and ethnicity. The diversification of higher education landscapes, marked by the elevation of often under-resourced public institutions to university status and the consolidation of a large and disparate private sector, raises questions about the quality of education. Accumulated student resistance to tuition fee increases or other reforms may reflect tensions between new groups seeking access to higher education as a means of social mobility and elites aiming to control the transformation of this sector to consolidate their ascendancy.

Governance, Inequality, Education, Politique publique

The article entitled "Audit of the Report on the Situation of Public Finances: Management from 2019 to March 31, 2024," published by the Senegalese Court of Auditors in February 2025, highlighted significant irregularities in the management of public finances during this period. Public debt was significantly underestimated, actually reaching 18,558.91 billion CFA francs, or 99.67% of GDP. In addition, more than 2,500 billion CFA francs were contracted in the form of bank debt outside the official budgetary circuit and without parliamentary validation, revealing a worrying lack of transparency. The budget deficit was also manipulated: while the former government announced a deficit of 4.9% of GDP for 2023, the Court of Auditors estimates it at 12.3%, a discrepancy of more than 2,291 billion CFA francs. The report also denounces expenditures made outside the public treasury circuit, transfers of funds to non-regulatory accounts and dubious sales of public assets. These practices distort the reality of Senegal's public finances and highlight the need for greater budget transparency and strict control of public debt to avoid an uncontrolled end.

Governance, Funding, Public debt, Transparency

On January 8, an attack by about twenty individuals near the Chadian presidency caused trouble in N’Djamena. The government quickly described the event as a simple attempt at destabilization with no connection to terrorism. The toll: 20 dead, including 18 attackers and 2 soldiers. At the same time, the withdrawal of French forces from Chad was completed on January 30 with the return of the Abéché and Adji Kosseï bases. President Mahamat Idriss Déby criticized Emmanuel Macron’s statements on African “ingratitude.” At the same time, Turkey is installing military drones on Chadian bases. On the political front, the ruling party, the MPS, won the legislative elections on December 29. Déby was appointed national president of the MPS, strengthening his control. The opponent Succès Masra surprised by expressing his openness to working with Déby, despite his party’s boycott of the elections.

Governance, Security, Military activity, Cooperation

This article examines the shortcomings of security sector reform (SSR) programs in Africa, which focus primarily on state institutions without sufficient consideration of local realities. The authors introduce the concept of hybridity to better understand the interaction between state and non-state actors that influence security governance on the continent. These often-overlooked informal actors play a crucial role in regulating security and justice. The article critiques the dominant Western-inspired state model and advocates for broader recognition of customary norms and alternative security networks. By adopting hybridity as an analytical tool, policymakers could rethink security policies to better integrate these complex dynamics, which are often underestimated in reform efforts. The article argues that recognizing and adapting to these hybrid governance structures would improve the effectiveness of security interventions in Africa.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Education, Gold, Human security, Institution