The article Learning Assessment in Sub-Saharan Africa by Pierre Varly, published by UNESCO-TALENT in 2020, analyzes the participation of African countries in international assessments of educational achievement. It highlights the low representation of sub-Saharan Africa in programs such as PISA and TIMSS, although some countries, such as Senegal and Zambia, take part in PISA-D (a version adapted for developing countries). The article highlights the major challenges of learning assessment, including the lack of institutional capacity and the low reliability of available data. It emphasizes the need to adapt these assessments to local realities to improve the quality of education systems in Africa.

Governance, Education, Politique publique

The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a statement titled "Humanitarian Emergency: Funding Shortfall Jeopardizes WFP Food Assistance for Millions in the Central Sahel and Nigeria" on March 7, 2025. The article emphasizes that, without urgent funding, WFP will be forced to suspend its essential food and nutrition assistance in critical regions such as the Central Sahel and Nigeria as early as April 2025. This comes as the lean season, a time when food insecurity is at its peak, approaches. This suspension will affect approximately 2 million people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, as well as internally displaced populations and vulnerable families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. To maintain its assistance over the next six months, WFP urgently requires $620 million. Margot van der Velden, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, expressed concern about the reduction in international aid, calling on the global community to step up its support to prevent a worsening of the food crisis in these regions.

Governance, Food security, Cooperation, Politique publique

The article entitled "Audit of the Report on the Situation of Public Finances: Management from 2019 to March 31, 2024," published by the Senegalese Court of Auditors in February 2025, highlighted significant irregularities in the management of public finances during this period. Public debt was significantly underestimated, actually reaching 18,558.91 billion CFA francs, or 99.67% of GDP. In addition, more than 2,500 billion CFA francs were contracted in the form of bank debt outside the official budgetary circuit and without parliamentary validation, revealing a worrying lack of transparency. The budget deficit was also manipulated: while the former government announced a deficit of 4.9% of GDP for 2023, the Court of Auditors estimates it at 12.3%, a discrepancy of more than 2,291 billion CFA francs. The report also denounces expenditures made outside the public treasury circuit, transfers of funds to non-regulatory accounts and dubious sales of public assets. These practices distort the reality of Senegal's public finances and highlight the need for greater budget transparency and strict control of public debt to avoid an uncontrolled end.

Governance, Funding, Public debt, Transparency

On January 8, an attack by about twenty individuals near the Chadian presidency caused trouble in N’Djamena. The government quickly described the event as a simple attempt at destabilization with no connection to terrorism. The toll: 20 dead, including 18 attackers and 2 soldiers. At the same time, the withdrawal of French forces from Chad was completed on January 30 with the return of the Abéché and Adji Kosseï bases. President Mahamat Idriss Déby criticized Emmanuel Macron’s statements on African “ingratitude.” At the same time, Turkey is installing military drones on Chadian bases. On the political front, the ruling party, the MPS, won the legislative elections on December 29. Déby was appointed national president of the MPS, strengthening his control. The opponent Succès Masra surprised by expressing his openness to working with Déby, despite his party’s boycott of the elections.

Governance, Security, Military activity, Cooperation

In the interview titled "The State Must Provide the Necessary Means for Research," Dr. Hamidou Lazoumar Ramatoulaye, an epidemiologist and researcher at the Center for Medical and Health Research (CERMES) in Niger, emphasizes the crucial importance of adequate research funding for national development. She highlights the essential role of research in improving health systems and promoting the well-being of populations. Dr. Ramatoulaye stresses the need for the state to invest more in research infrastructures, researcher training, and the creation of partnerships with international institutions. She also advocates for better valorization of research results so they can be practically applied in public policies and medical practices. According to her, without strong state commitment to supporting research, it would be challenging to address the health challenges facing Niger.

Governance, Health, Researh, Funding

On December 2, 2024, the fifteenth legislature of Senegal was installed, marked by the election of El Malick Ndiaye as President of the National Assembly with 134 votes out of 165. Former Minister of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport, Ndiaye is a member of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF) party, which won 130 of the 165 seats in the legislative elections of November 17, 2024, with 54.97% of the vote. This election recorded a turnout of 49.72%, slightly higher than that of 2022 (46.6%), but lower than the presidential election of March 2024 (61%). This mobilization reflects the growing engagement of young people, representing nearly 38% of registered voters. The results reflect a desire for change and political renewal, with a more diverse National Assembly, both in terms of gender and professional backgrounds. However, challenges remain regarding the effective representation of all social classes and the realization of electoral promises in a demanding socio-economic context.

Political party, Political Power, Governance, Election

In 2024, Côte d'Ivoire is going through a tumultuous political period, marked by electoral conflicts and growing uncertainty ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 2025. The candidacy of the current president, Alassane Ouattara, as well as the intentions of opposition figures remain unclear. On December 31, 2024, Guillaume Soro, former president of the National Assembly in exile in Mali for six years following a conviction for attempted coup d'état, announced his candidacy for the presidency. On the same day, Alassane Ouattara declared the retrocession of the French military base of the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion in Port-Bouët to the Ivorian armed forces, marking a significant step in the redefinition of Franco-Ivorian relations. These developments are increasing political uncertainty and diplomatic tensions in Côte d'Ivoire ahead of the elections.

Politics, Governance, Election, Diplomacy

The article entitled “Evaluation of the provision of care in emergency situations based on the establishment of advanced health posts in the town of Djibo, Burkina Faso, April 2022” analyzes the effectiveness of advanced health posts (PSAs) deployed in Djibo in response to an emergency situation in April 2022. The study examines how these PSAs improved access to health care for the local population in crisis situations. The results indicate increased use of health services and better accessibility for residents, thus contributing to a more effective health response in emergency contexts.

Governance, Health, Politique publique, Emergency, Accessibility

The article titled "Togo: Senatorial elections in sight, feet in ECOWAS and hand extended to SSA," published by the Timbuktu Institute on February 25, 2025, examines Togo's geopolitical stance ahead of its first senatorial elections scheduled for February 2025. Togo, a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has expressed interest in joining the Sahel Alliance (SSA), an initiative aimed at strengthening security and development cooperation in the Sahel region. This move comes as the country faces jihadist incursions and has recently adopted a controversial constitutional reform, transitioning from a presidential to a parliamentary system. The article highlights that this reform has exacerbated internal political divisions. The upcoming senatorial elections will mark the full implementation of this political transition. The Constitutional Court has already published the final list of candidates for this election, which will take place shortly after the 20th anniversary of the death of former President Gnassingbé Eyadema.

Politics, Governance, Security, Jihad, Election