Daniel Eizenga’s article identifies five major zones of violence involving Islamist militant groups in the Sahel. These areas have become epicenters of chronic insecurity, seriously affecting civilians and weakening state institutions. The key zones include the Liptako-Gourma tri-border area (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger), Northwestern Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin, Niger’s Tillabéri region, and Northern Benin. In each of these locations, jihadist groups exploit state fragility, community conflicts, and local grievances to entrench themselves. The article outlines how these groups have shifted tactics—moving from mobile insurgencies to localized governance and territorial control. Eizenga stresses that sustainable responses must combine security efforts with governance reforms, community dialogue, and inclusive development to effectively counter this growing threat.

Governance, Jihad, Violence, Insécurité

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 “Forging Identity at Gunpoint: Violence and the Land Question in Mali” by Ibrahima Poudiougou and Giovanni Zanoletti, published in 2020 in the Revue internationale des études du développement, examines how violence has become a tool of public policy in Mali, especially in land-related conflicts. The authors focus on the deadly clash between the villages of Mougna and Kossouma on June 25, 2016, which resulted in about twenty deaths and forty injuries. Although jihadists were not directly involved, the event illustrates the increasing militarization of land disputes since the 2012 rebellion. The article explores how ethnic and religious narratives—especially references to “jihadism”—are used to frame these disputes. Ultimately, the study reveals how rural institutions and state authority are being challenged through violent reconfigurations of identity and power.

Pastoralism, Conflict, REAL ESTATE, Political identity

This study, conducted in Mali, Niger, and Togo, analyzes the sociocultural, economic, and legal determinants of child marriage (CM) and proposes empowering girls as a strategy to combat it. Despite national laws, traditional and religious norms, particularly Islam, favor the continuation of this practice. Child marriage is often perceived as a protection mechanism against out-of-wedlock pregnancies, a religious obligation, or an economic survival strategy. The low educational attainment of girls and poverty exacerbate the phenomenon. The research mobilized a multidisciplinary and mixed-methods approach, involving qualitative and quantitative surveys. The authors recommend greater involvement of community actors and a change in social norms. Empowering girls through education and economic skills is essential to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty and domination.

Gender, Natural ressources, Political Violence, Education, Family, Gold, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

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

Pastoralism plays a vital role in West and Central Africa, contributing to food security and biodiversity conservation. However, this way of life is threatened by climate change, land degradation, and socio-political conflicts. Action Against Hunger (ACF) has implemented various initiatives to strengthen the resilience of pastoral communities, including improving access to water and pasture, promoting sustainable practices, and establishing early warning systems. Regional and national policies support pastoralism through infrastructure, regulations promoting transhumance, and climate adaptation programs. However, challenges persist, including agricultural expansion, land privatization, resource conflicts, and widespread insecurity. A coordinated approach and concerted action are needed to preserve this essential way of life.

Economic Development, Livestock, Climate change, Security, Conflict, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production