This article analyzes the historical, political, and economic evolution of borders in the Saharo-Sahelian region, shaped by colonization, Tuareg rebellions, border disputes, and illegal flows. Borders, often arbitrary and poorly controlled, have become sites of rents for local and international actors. In pre-colonial times, this region was a transit area without barriers. Colonization imposed rigid borders, disrupting local dynamics. Today, trafficking (drugs, weapons, migrants) thrives, making borders porous and uncontrollable. Jihadist movements also redefine borders through their advances and retreats. The author emphasizes that Saharo-Sahelian borders remain economic, political, and geostrategic tools while symbolizing regional instability.

Politics, Political party, State, Boundary, Natural ressources, Jihad, Terrorism, Education, Gold, Illegal activity

This article examines the intersection of jihadi governance and gender practices in the Sahel. It explores how jihadist groups, affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, manipulate gender relations to gain local support. By blending continuity and disruption with traditional social practices, these groups leverage gender roles in Fulani communities in the Liptako-Gourma region (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso). Using ethnographic methodology and interviews, the authors analyze how jihadist governance adapts marriage norms, domestic roles, and dress codes. They conclude that the integration of these groups into the social fabric relies on their ability to reproduce or reshape existing gender practices.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

This article examines the geopolitical dynamics of the Sahel and the Sahara, focusing on crises and resilience mechanisms. The author discusses conflicts such as the Libyan civil war, Mali’s fragmentation, and the rise of jihadists. The region is also shaped by the growth of trans-Saharan trafficking (drugs, weapons, migrants) and gold rushes. Sahelian states struggle to ensure stability due to weak institutions, exacerbated by international interventions. However, local populations demonstrate resilience by adapting to harsh environments, particularly through gold mining and informal trade. The article highlights the interplay between crises and adaptability, while questioning the effectiveness of international solutions.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Conflict, Jihad, Terrorism, Gold, Threat

In July 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to form the former Confederation of the Sahel. This decision comes against a backdrop of demographic and climatic crises, as well as insecurity linked to jihadism. Since the 1970s, reduced harvesting has reduced arable land, while the population has quintupled, exacerbating conflicts over resources. Foreign military interventions, deemed ineffective, led to military coups in these countries between 2020 and 2023. The new Junes fueled anti-French sentiment and moved closer to Russia. Faced with ECOWAS sanctions, these states proclaimed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023, evolving into the Sahel Confederation in July 2024. This secession exposes them to the challenges of enclavement and the management of vast territories that are difficult to control.

Governance, Coopération régionale

This study investigates the local and regional dynamics that sustain the resilience of jihadist groups in the Sahel. It analyzes the strategies of groups like Boko Haram, AQIM, and ISGS, emphasizing their social, economic, and ideological foundations. Moving away from global perspectives, the study highlights that these groups rely more on community and clan-based structures than on international coordination. The porous borders of the region enable the movement of fighters and ideas while constraining the effectiveness of international interventions. By focusing on local realities, the study shows that these insurgencies are primarily driven by poor governance and socio-economic grievances rather than a global war on terror.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Jihad, Terrorism, Education, Gold, Threat, Knowlege production

This text analyzes citizen participation in public security policies in Niger and Burkina Faso. It shows that this citizen involvement in security governance has been shaped by the dynamics of political regimes and their international relations. As an instrument of political regulation, citizen participation thus appears as a privileged site of observation of power struggles and the creation of public action in states under aid regimes. The analysis proves to be very fruitful under the prism of the logic of extraversion that characterizes public action in Africa.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Gold, Human security, Social, Researh, Knowlege production

The article “Democracy under the threat of security in Africa: the case of Burkina Faso” analyzes the impact of terrorist threats on Burkina Faso’s democratic achievements since 2015. It conceptualizes democracy by encompassing the protection of individual freedoms, the holding of free and fair elections, and checks and balances between state institutions. The study demonstrates that, although terrorist violence has weakened Burkinabe democracy, it is resilient. Far from putting an end to democratization, insecurity opens new perspectives for its revitalization. The article also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the functioning of public institutions and resisting restrictions on individual freedoms, even in times of security crisis.

Governance, Security, Democracy, Transition, Liberté

This article explores the integration of seasonal climate forecasts into adaptive social protection (ASP) systems in the Sahel. The authors emphasize that communities in the region heavily rely on seasonal rainfall for their livelihoods. By combining climate forecasts with livelihood information, actions can be triggered ahead of shocks, reducing the time needed for needs assessments before delivering a response. The World Bank's Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Programme (SASPP) is highlighted as a major initiative aimed at building resilience among populations facing climate hazards. Mauritania, as one of the six countries targeted by the SASPP, actively participates in this initiative by implementing adaptive social protection systems to help vulnerable populations better cope with climate shocks. The article also identifies challenges, including the variability in the quality of climate forecasts and the difficulty of integrating these forecasts into existing early warning systems. The authors recommend enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, improved understanding of climate impacts on livelihoods, and sustained investment in climate research and services.

Climate change, Food security, Adaptive social protection

The article titled "Climate Risks and Food and Nutrition Security in Niger: Mapping Impacts and Resilience Needs" analyzes the effects of climate change on food security in three regions of Niger. The authors identify drought as the main risk, leading to declines in agricultural production, livestock numbers, and the disappearance of valuable tree species. These impacts exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. Factors contributing to the vulnerability of rural households include land degradation, poverty, and the rudimentary nature of agro-pastoral activities. The study proposes resilience benchmarks, classified into four groups (V1, V2, V3, V4), to guide effective responses to climate risks.

Climate change, Security, Food security