The article "Strengthening Sahelian Counterinsurgency Strategy", authored by Michael Shurkin and published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on August 8, 2022, examines the surge in militant Islamist violence in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. It highlights the inadequacy of current strategies against local insurgencies employing irregular tactics. The author advocates for a population-centric counterinsurgency approach, involving the restructuring of armed forces into lighter, more mobile, and integrated units, supported by enhanced logistical and aerial capabilities. Building positive relationships with local communities is deemed essential to diminish support for insurgents. The article also recommends complementing military actions with initiatives aimed at improving living conditions, justice, and the rule of law.

Security, Jihad, Violence

Thirty years after the Beijing Declaration, this report highlights the continued marginalization of African women with disabilities in public policy and feminist movements. Despite legal frameworks like the CRPD and the African Disability Protocol, implementation remains weak. Based on consultations with 244 women across 23 countries, the report reveals deep-rooted, intersectional discrimination: extreme poverty, specific forms of gender-based violence, political underrepresentation, economic exclusion, and barriers to healthcare and education. Most policies lack an intersectional lens and disaggregated data, limiting effective action. This participatory report calls for the recognition of disabled women as change-makers and provides concrete recommendations for their full inclusion. It emphasizes the urgency of integrating their voices in decision-making spaces to achieve genuine gender equality.

Health, Violence, Discrimination, Inclusive education, Inclusion, Socio-economic integration

The report “Climate Change, Development and Security in the Central Sahel”, published in June 2021, explores how climate change impacts development and security in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. It highlights the links between climate stress, food insecurity, human mobility, and conflict. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequality, armed group proliferation, and social tensions. The study argues that current responses, often overly focused on militarised security, fail to address local realities. Instead, it recommends integrated and context-sensitive strategies to enhance resilience. These include supporting sustainable livelihoods, acknowledging mobility as a coping mechanism, and reinforcing local conflict-resolution systems. The report also advocates for more coherent European and international policies that align climate adaptation with peacebuilding and development goals.

Economic Development, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Food security, Human security, Threat, Knowlege production

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 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)

Action Against Hunger's 2024 regional report assesses biomass production in the Sahel and West Africa. Following a poor rainy season in 2023, 2024 was marked by abundant rainfall, particularly in the central Sahel, leading to exceptional biomass yields in Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso. In contrast, coastal countries and some agricultural areas of Mali, Senegal, and southern Chad recorded moderate to low biomass production. Despite sufficient overall resource availability, access is hampered by insecurity, restrictions on livestock mobility, and pressure on grazing land. The report highlights the importance of sustainable resource management, support for pastoralists, and facilitating cross-border transhumance before the 2025 dry season.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Knowlege production

This article examines the intersection between the politics of regionalism and security politics by analyzing the recent reorganization of regions. It explores how political communities are transforming into security regions, focusing on the political and security dynamics that influence these transformations. The study highlights the key factors contributing to this evolution and analyzes the implications for regional governance and international cooperation. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with this transformation of regional structures.

Politics, Governance, Security, Cooperation, Coopération régionale

The report, "Humanitarian Protection in the Liptako-Gourma Region," is the result of research conducted between 2020 and 2022 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and their local partners. This study focuses on the Liptako-Gourma region, located on the border between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, an area marked by a continued deterioration in security since 2015. The main objective was to assess the effectiveness of humanitarian protection programs and their interaction with local protection systems. Based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in the North and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso, Mopti in Mali, and Tillabéri in Niger, the research highlighted the complementarity between humanitarian protection mechanisms and local structures. It highlights the importance of integrating traditional protection systems to strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions.

Security, Crisis, Protection