The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Senegal – October–November 2025 (No. 43) assesses pastoral conditions at the end of the rainy season and the onset of the cool dry season. It highlights a generally satisfactory availability of pasture and water resources in central, southern and eastern Senegal, contrasted with persistent fodder deficits in the northern regions (Saint-Louis, Louga, Matam). Bush fires, particularly widespread in Matam, Tambacounda and Kaffrine, have negatively affected vegetation regeneration. While the body condition of small ruminants remains largely good, that of large ruminants shows localized deterioration in deficit areas. Market analysis shows rising livestock prices, but persistently high cereal prices, especially rice, have resulted in unfavourable terms of trade for many pastoral households, notably in northern and eastern zones. The bulletin also stresses the limited and uneven support to the pastoral sector, calling for increased vigilance and better-targeted interventions to reduce vulnerabilities.

Power, State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, water

In this interview, Prof. Fatoumata Hane examines Senegal’s deep social and institutional crisis, characterized by a growing disconnect between institutions and the population. She highlights weak governance marked by impunity, lack of accountability, and restrictions on fundamental rights, which have widened the gap between citizens and the state. Youth issues are central, as public policies often treat young people as a homogeneous group, failing to address diverse aspirations in employment, education, and civic engagement—contributing to migration and instrumentalized political participation. Regarding women, she stresses that numerical parity does not ensure meaningful political inclusion, as women remain largely confined to mobilization roles. In education, she advocates for the decolonization of knowledge, criticizing a Eurocentric model that fuels inequality and unemployment. Ultimately, she calls for a refoundation of the state, prioritizing inclusive governance, health, education, youth empowerment, and the rebuilding of shared national values.

Governance, Youth, Women, Institution

This regional report by Action Against Hunger assesses vegetation biomass production in the Sahel during the 2025 growing season using satellite imagery and climatic data. It finds that the 2025 rainy season was generally normal to above average across Sahelian countries, resulting in good to very good biomass production, exceeding the 25-year average, though remaining below the exceptional levels observed in 2024. Central Sahel areas, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, recorded significant positive anomalies, while localized deficits persist in western Senegal, south-western Mauritania and the Lake Chad basin. In coastal countries, biomass production remains below average despite slight improvement compared to 2024. The report indicates that pastoral vulnerability for the 2026 dry season is generally low; however, insecurity, restrictions on transhumant movements and livestock concentration significantly constrain access to grazing resources, increasing the risk of early and difficult pastoral lean periods in several zones.

Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Knowlege production, water

Issue 34 of the Sahel Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin highlights an overall improvement in pastoral conditions across the region during August–September 2025. Pasture and water availability is generally satisfactory, contributing to good livestock body condition. However, significant spatial disparities remain, with some areas experiencing low vegetation cover while others face excess water and flooding risks. Livestock markets are mostly accessible, yet rising animal prices combined with fluctuating cereal prices continue to negatively affect terms of trade for pastoralists in several locations. From a health perspective, outbreaks of animal and human diseases have been reported, requiring increased monitoring. Security conditions remain fragile in parts of the region, marked by recurrent livestock theft and increased pressure on pastoral resources due to the presence of displaced and refugee populations.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Health, Information, Marché, water

In this opinion piece, Seny Diawara examines the political and psychological dynamics between Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. The article argues that current tensions within the executive stem less from institutional conflict than from contrasting personal trajectories and sources of legitimacy. The President embodies a delegated form of authority still under consolidation, leading him to broaden his political alliances to secure credibility. By contrast, the Prime Minister derives a charismatic legitimacy shaped through struggle, repression, and sustained popular support, relying on a loyal and compact inner circle. These two leadership styles generate divergent interpretations of political decisions, fueling mistrust and symbolic rivalry. In a fragile regional context marked by political transitions and security tensions, the author advocates a “psychopolitical” solution: a tacit but firm pact defining roles, consultation mechanisms, and communication channels, enabling complementarity rather than competition and safeguarding Senegal’s political stability.

Politics, Power, Governance, Transition

The report demonstrates a sharp deterioration of Mali’s security situation since the military junta seized power in 2020. Violence by militant Islamist groups has surged and now covers every region, including areas close to Bamako. Maps throughout the report (pp. 1–4) show the rapid geographic expansion of attacks. In 2023, Mali is on track to exceed 1,000 violent events, nearly triple the level recorded when the junta took power. Focused on consolidating its rule, the junta alienated regional and international security partners and demanded the withdrawal of the 15,000-strong UN mission (MINUSMA), pushing northern Mali to the brink of renewed civil war. The arrival of Russia-linked Wagner forces has worsened abuses, with more than 320 human rights violations documented. In the center and south, FLM, JNIM, and ISGS have strengthened their operations. State authority is collapsing as civilians face escalating attacks, instability, and governance breakdown.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat

The Freedom in the World 2024 – Guinea-Bissau report by Freedom House highlights persistent political instability. President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s 2019 electoral victory was internationally recognized, yet tensions between the presidency and parliament have deepened, culminating in the dissolution of the National Assembly in December 2023 and the use of force to block MPs from entering the building. No date for new legislative elections had been set by year-end. Press freedom remains extremely fragile: journalists and media outlets—especially Radio Capital FM—face harassment, intimidation, and violent attacks. Civil society actors and human rights defenders also encounter arbitrary detention and physical assaults. Widespread corruption, weak judicial access, illegal economic activities, gender inequalities, and the trafficking of talibé children for forced begging and labor severely undermine the rule of law. Overall, governance structures remain weak, and fundamental freedoms continue to be compromised in Guinea-Bissau.

Politics, Bribery, Governance, Human Rights, Liberté d'expression, Instabilité

The article examines why Senegal’s democracy endured despite a major institutional crisis surrounding the postponement of the 2024 presidential election. When President Macky Sall cancelled the February vote, citing institutional conflict, civil society, opposition actors, and the Constitutional Council played decisive roles in protecting the rule of law. Despite political pressure, the judiciary invalidated the postponement, demonstrating its independence. At the same time, broad civic mobilization—including activists, scholars, journalists, and religious groups—demanded adherence to the constitutional electoral timeline. This combination of judicial firmness and collective citizen action enabled the organization of the March 24 election and a peaceful transition to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The article argues that Senegal’s resilience stems from a long-standing tradition of civic engagement, institutional dialogue, and public defense of democratic checks and balances.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Justice, Election, Gold, Social, Medias

The report describes a structured child-trafficking system moving children from Guinea-Bissau to Senegal, where they are forced to beg under the guise of religious education. Historically, talibés travelled to Senegal to study the Qur’an, supported by community almsgiving. However, since the 1970s, poverty, drought, and urban migration have turned this tradition into widespread exploitation. Marabouts now recruit children from vulnerable families—often through deception—and smuggle them across porous borders. Once in Senegal, children live in overcrowded, unsafe shelters and must deliver daily quotas of money. Forced begging has become a profitable criminal activity, linked to money laundering through the cashew and charcoal trade. While Senegal and Guinea-Bissau have ratified international conventions and adopted anti-trafficking laws, enforcement remains weak due to limited resources, strong cultural tolerance, and well-organized trafficking networks.

Security, Poverty, Human Rights, Vulnerability, Insécurité, Enfant, Trafic