This article examines the surge in militant Islamist violence in the Sahel—especially Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—where attacks have risen by 140% since 2020. The author argues that traditional counterterrorism efforts are ineffective, as these groups function more like local insurgencies. A shift toward a counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy is recommended, centered on population protection, improved military mobility, civil-military cooperation, credible military justice, and robust logistics. The report emphasizes the need for mobile, modular, and integrated forces with air support and intelligence coordination. The author promotes a republican model of military conduct focused on legitimacy and community trust. Mauritania’s Special Intervention Groups (GSIs) and Cameroon’s Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) are cited as instructive models.

Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Counter terrorism

This synthesis report evaluates multilingual education (MLE) policies and practices across six West African countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria). It highlights the development of policy frameworks, institutional strategies, and grassroots experiences related to the use of national languages in education. Although there is growing recognition of the benefits of using local languages for learning, implementation remains inconsistent and underfunded. The report identifies key challenges such as insufficient trained personnel, lack of teaching materials, and limited language standardization. It recommends policy harmonization, enhanced teacher training, stronger political advocacy, and sustainable financing. The study advocates for regional engagement and intersectoral coordination to support inclusive, quality, and culturally relevant education systems.

Education, Youth, Soicial sciences, Researh

This qualitative study, conducted in Burkina Faso (Sep–Nov 2022), gathers the voices of 202 youths (aged 10–17, displaced or not) across 31 focus groups in six regions. The youths prioritize basic needs—food, water, clothing, healthcare, bicycles or mobility aids for disabled youths. Education is deemed critical for their future, despite school violence. Adolescents wish to contribute to family income and favor practical training (sewing, livestock). Leisure is a luxury and security a necessity. They feel excluded, ignored in aid targeting, poorly informed about humanitarian actors, and report distribution sites as unsafe and undignified. The report recommends strengthening youth participation: inform and involve youths in planning, ensure fair targeting, improve safety and dignity at distribution sites, and tailor assistance to their specific needs.

Inequality, Youth, Vulnerability