Africa is experiencing a historic surge in forced displacement, with 45.7 million people uprooted, representing 3% of the continent’s population . Conflict is the main driver, as 96% of displaced populations originate from countries affected by armed violence. Sudan has become the epicenter, recording 14.4 million forcibly displaced people, including 10 million internally displaced—the highest figure worldwide. Regional conflicts increasingly overlap: 8 of the 11 African countries hosting the most refugees are themselves in conflict, highlighting the interconnected crises of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Lake Chad Basin. Burkina Faso accounts for one of the largest internal displacement crises. Some fragile improvements appear in Ethiopia and the DRC due to returns in partially stabilized regions. Meanwhile, natural disasters—mainly floods—have increased forced displacement by 33%, adding 5.6 million new victims and compounding the vulnerability of populations already affected by conflict.

Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Civil Society, Crisis, Déplacement forcé

This Policy Brief examines Germany’s new budget orientations and their consequences for Mali, a country facing insecurity, conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and rising humanitarian needs. Germany is among Mali’s key financial partners through the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, from 2025 onward, significant budget cuts are expected, sharply reducing German contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). German aid currently supports essential sectors such as nutrition, health, water and sanitation, infrastructure, protection, displacement management, agriculture, and the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus. Reductions in funding could exacerbate vulnerabilities, intensify population movements, and weaken local NGOs, which are central to service delivery and conflict mitigation. The brief offers recommendations to mitigate these impacts, improve coordination, promote aid localization, and strengthen community resilience.

State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Mediation, Gold, Social, Cooperation, Dialogue, Civil Society

This report examines the evolution of Islamic donors in the Sahel, from their historical roots to their recent strategic shifts. Initially framed by South-South solidarity and the oil shocks of the 1970s, Gulf donors gradually expanded their influence through religious and private aid, notably via Islamic NGOs and non-profit organizations. The study highlights the privatization of aid, the emergence of a “Muslim humanitarianism,” and the growing role of Salafist NGOs in social work, especially in Senegal. These actors, perceived as close to communities, provide assistance considered accessible and effective, while challenging traditional Western cooperation models. Their strategies include delegitimizing classical partners and reshaping local socio-political dynamics. The report concludes that international agencies must adapt, build partnerships with legitimate Islamic actors, and integrate local cultural and religious contexts to enhance peacebuilding and sustainable development in the region.

Politics, Political party, State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Donor, Gold, Social, Aid, Civil Society

The article “Substantive democracy: an alternative for societies of resignation and silencing” examines democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa. Jean-Marc Segoun highlights “hybrid” regimes—whether civilian or military—sustaining power through gerontocracy, clientelism, militarization, and coercive use of law. These systems foster fear, resignation, and silence political opposition while curtailing fundamental freedoms. Recent examples include the dissolution of political parties in Mali, repression in Burkina Faso, civil rights restrictions in Côte d’Ivoire, and entrenched authoritarianism in Cameroon. The author argues that civil society must move beyond neutrality to become a political force proposing viable alternatives. This requires building networks, sharing practices, and inventing new paradigms suited to contexts of repression. “Substantive democracy” is proposed as a framework to resist authoritarianism, regenerate political thought, and offer pathways toward inclusive governance in societies where traditional democracy has been hollowed out.

Governance, Democracy, Civil Society

Over the past decade, more than 155,000 deaths have been attributed to militant Islamist groups in Africa. The **Sahel—especially Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—**has become the epicenter of this violence, with attacks surging since 2020. JNIM (linked to al-Qaeda) and ISGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) dominate the region, expanding toward coastal West Africa. Burkina Faso accounts for more than half of recent fatalities, while Mali has suffered over 17,000 deaths since 2020. Niger, destabilized by the 2023 coup, has seen casualties quadruple. Somalia, with al-Shabaab, and the Lake Chad Basin (Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger) also remain deadly hotspots. The report highlights states’ territorial loss, with nearly 1 million km² outside government control, and forced displacement affecting over 3.5 million people. The data underscores the escalating lethality of militant Islamist groups and the urgent need for coordinated responses.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Civil Society

In June 2025, Action Against Hunger (ACF) released a monitoring bulletin on micro-enterprises in Bassikounou, Mauritania, as part of its economic resilience program. The study assessed 50 ACF-supported micro-enterprises, mainly operating in retail trade, catering, and services. Findings indicate an average 18% increase in turnover since the previous assessment, despite ongoing challenges such as supply chain issues, rising prices, and limited product diversification. Most beneficiaries are women (72%), who report improved income and autonomy. However, reliance on local markets and low savings capacity continue to hinder the sustainability of these businesses. The report recommends strengthening management training, diversifying business sectors, and improving access to credit.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Private sector, Civil Society, Funding

This podcast by WATHI, released on June 29, 2025, reflects on the Second African Democracy Assembly held in Dakar by the Innovation Foundation for Democracy, chaired by Achille Mbembé. The speaker advocates for a substantive democracy rooted in civic engagement, inclusive dialogue, social justice, and national cohesion—beyond mere elections. Using Senegal’s recent political dialogue as a case study, the episode emphasizes the democratic value of public participation in institutional reform. Drawing from Afrobarometer and V-Dem data, the podcast warns of growing authoritarianism globally and in Africa. It calls for the strategic, sovereign use of external aid, the empowerment of youth and civil society, and the formation of pragmatic alliances to build resilient democratic systems anchored in African realities.

Sovereignty, Governance, Democracy, Election, Civil Society

The pastoral surveillance bulletin for April–May 2025 in Mauritania, published by Action Against Hunger and its partners, reports a concerning situation as the lean season approaches. The degradation of natural pastures and drying of water points, particularly in eastern regions (Hodh El Chargui and Hodh El Gharbi), are increasing pressure on pastoral resources. Transhumance movements have begun earlier and more intensely than usual, often hindered by land disputes and high livestock concentrations in certain zones. The body condition of livestock is generally fair, though some disease outbreaks have been reported. Market trends show rising prices for both livestock and staple foods, to the disadvantage of herders. Although the security context remains relatively stable, the food situation of pastoral households is increasingly fragile.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Social, Civil Society, Marché

The report “Armed Groups and the Conflict Economy in National Parks of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin” examines the growing control of violent extremist groups (notably JNIM and ISSP) over the WAP complex (W, Arly, and Pendjari parks). These groups leverage illicit economies (smuggling, gold mining, poaching) and state absence to impose alternative governance through zakat and protection in exchange for access to natural resources. The report highlights long-standing local grievances, land disputes, weak state presence, and evolving intercommunal tensions. Armed groups use these dynamics to expand toward coastal countries. Relations between communities, park rangers, and the state are tense, often marked by abuse, mistrust, and violence. WAP thus becomes a strategic zone for consolidating armed control and illicit logistics. The report urges a coordinated response blending security, governance, and development strategies to address structural vulnerabilities.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Threat, Civil Society