The article analyzes the geopolitical transformations and multiple crises shaking the Sahel, marked by growing international actors such as Russia, Turkey and Iran. It highlighted the impact of these dynamics on the region's politics, security and economy, and the challenges related to governance. Although certain trends seem to please part of the population, they struggle to translate into concrete stability. The author offers recommendations for strengthened international cooperation and better governance.

Governance, Security, Cooperation, Crisis

The article analyzes the geopolitical transformations and multiple crises shaking the Sahel, marked by growing international actors such as Russia, Turkey and Iran. It highlighted the impact of these dynamics on the region's politics, security and economy, and the challenges related to governance. Although certain trends seem to please part of the population, they struggle to translate into concrete stability. The author offers recommendations for strengthened international cooperation and better governance.

Governance, Security, Cooperation, Crisis

This report explores the impact of growing Internet use in the Sahel region, notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The rise of social media users has exacerbated existing tensions and conflicts, with phenomena such as disinformation, radicalization and polarization. Despite this, digital access also offers opportunities to strengthen transparency and cohesion, and to prevent conflicts. Recommendations for a more inclusive and safe use of these digital spaces are proposed.

Governance, Social cohesion, Numérique, Radicalisation, Disinformation

The article entitled “Mali-Niger: climate change and conflicts form an explosive cocktail in the Sahel”, published by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 2019, analyzes the interaction between climate change and intercommunity conflicts in Mali and Niger. Global warming is exacerbating historic tensions between herders and farmers, particularly arable land and making water resources more unpredictable. This situation worsens poverty, weakens public services and disrupts traditional livelihoods. Local populations, already facing underdevelopment, crime and violence, are pushed into difficult choices, such as migration or joining armed groups, to meet their needs. The ICRC highlights the need for a radically different approach to tackling these complex challenges in the Sahel.

Migration, Climate change, Natural ressources, Conflict, Poverty

The article emphasizes that electrifying productive activities is crucial to enhancing the resilience of rural areas in the Sahel. In Mali, where the Human Development Index (HDI) is low, limited access to electricity hampers the development of income-generating activities, particularly in agro-food processing and mechanical services. Current solutions, such as individual solar kits and decentralized mini-grids, are insufficient to meet the energy needs of rural enterprises. Individual kits provide limited power, unsuitable for activities requiring substantial energy, while mini-grids often face financial and technical challenges. The article advocates for an integrated approach, combining public and private investments, incentive policies, and appropriate training, to promote effective and sustainable rural electrification, a prerequisite for achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.

Poverty, Rural electrification

The study conducted from July 2020 to June 2022 as part of the RESILAC project analyzes individual strategies and collective dynamics influencing mental health and socioeconomic integration of youth in the Lake Chad Basin. It provides an overview of mental health systems in four countries, identifies emerging mental disorders and profiles of individuals in psychological distress, and examines endogenous mechanisms for addressing mental health issues and trauma. The study aims to produce operational knowledge to sustainably improve interventions for youth affected by conflicts in this region.

Governance, Youth, Santé mentale

The report by Search for Common Ground examines the participation of Sahelian women in digital spaces, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they encounter. It highlights that, despite a growing online presence, women face obstacles such as limited access to technology, restrictive sociocultural norms, and risks of online violence. The report recommends actions to enhance women's digital inclusion, including strengthening technological skills, raising awareness of digital rights, and creating safe online environments.

Gender, Women, Violence, Numérique

The Groupe URD (2023) article analyses the obstacles hindering access to reproductive health care for Chadian adolescent girls. Health infrastructure, often dilapidated and poorly located, discourages its use by young people. Social norms and suspicions surrounding premarital sexuality dissuade adolescent girls from seeking contraceptive services, for fear of being stigmatized. The rate of contraceptive use remains low, with only 8 to 9% of women of reproductive age using it. Early pregnancies are common, partly due to child marriage. Illegal abortions, often carried out in unsafe conditions, lead to serious complications. Gender-based violence is widespread, with one in three women having suffered physical violence since the age of 15. The HIV prevalence rate is 1.2%, with HIV positivity higher among women, particularly adolescent girls.

Governance, Gender, Education, Health

Amnesty International’s 2021 article, “I have nothing left, except myself,” examines the growing impact of conflict on children in the Tillabéri region of Niger. Violence by armed groups, including the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), has led to the closure of many schools, depriving children of their right to education. Children are also exposed to psychological trauma due to violent attacks, forced displacement, and food insecurity. The report highlights the urgent need for the Nigerien authorities and the international community to protect children’s rights, ensure their access to education, and provide adequate psychosocial support.

Security, Conflict, Poverty