This Policy Brief examines the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), which faces a “polycrisis” of institutional fragility, violent conflict, and climate change. Although the region contributes only 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is warming faster than the global average, worsening poverty, food insecurity, and competition over scarce resources. Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization deepen social strains. Conflicts over land and water, combined with weak governance, fuel instability and large-scale displacement. The author highlights the need for sustained, multi-pronged action: strengthening local resilience, involving communities and indigenous groups, improving governance, and ensuring access to climate finance. The Sahel’s future hinges on coordinated approaches that balance development, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation

Migration, Climate change, Peace, Conflict, Crisis, Insécurité, Démographie, Inclusion

The Bi-monthly Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for the Sahel (No. 32, April–May 2025) reports a lean season marked by a sharp decline in forage resources and the drying up of temporary surface water. Livestock movements are generally limited but include mass departures or arrivals, often driven by insecurity. Localized resource availability leads to high livestock concentrations, deterioration in animal body condition, and suspected disease outbreaks (botulism, peste des petits ruminants, vitamin deficiencies). Cereal and livestock prices are rising, with terms of trade unfavorable to herders. Cattle theft remains an issue, especially in high-density zones and in the Gao region. Conditions vary by country, with pastoral resources sometimes sufficient (Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire) but often deficient (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal), creating both economic and animal health challenges.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Insécurité

This ACF bulletin assesses the multisectoral situation in the regions of Timbuktu and Taoudénit (Mali) from April to May 2025. It highlights a marked deterioration in food security, driven by ongoing insecurity, population displacement, rising food prices, and low agricultural production. The report also signals increasing water stress, rising cases of acute malnutrition, reduced access to healthcare and education services, and violations of the basic rights of displaced populations. Despite ongoing humanitarian responses, needs remain critical, particularly in the Goundam and Gourma-Rharous districts. The bulletin calls for intensified interventions in food security, health/nutrition, water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH), and protection, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Fishing, Insécurité, Marché

The February–March 2025 Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger, highlights key challenges for pastoralism in the Sahel. This transition period between the cold and hot dry seasons is characterized by the drying up of temporary water points and widespread bushfires that have reduced forage availability. Nevertheless, pasture remains generally sufficient. Seasonal transhumance movements are mainly downward, but abnormal or forced movements linked to insecurity are also reported. The body condition of livestock ranges from fair to satisfactory, although suspected disease outbreaks are noted. Cereal and livestock prices are mostly rising, but terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders in many areas. Livestock theft, limited market access, and the arrival of refugees are further complicating conditions in certain regions.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Insécurité

The study "Food Insecurity in the Central Sahel", coordinated by Pierre Janin, assesses public policies and crisis management systems in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger since 2004. It embraces a critical and context-sensitive approach, moving beyond simplistic causal explanations to address the multifaceted nature of food crises, shaped by climatic, economic, political, and security factors. The study reviews four major crises (2004–2005, 2007–2008, 2011–2012, 2020–2022) in each country, evaluating the relevance and evolution of institutional responses. It advocates for a shift from technical risk management to strategic governance, emphasizing negotiated compromises and adaptive responses. The growing politicization of food-related challenges—exemplified by the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—reshapes regional sovereignty dynamics and calls for innovative policy frameworks.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Food security, Gold, Human security, Crisis, Insécurité, Food insecurity

Sudan's civil war, which erupted in April 2023, has led to the displacement of over one million refugees and returnees into eastern Chad, an area that is both remote and impoverished. This humanitarian crisis is placing immense strain on local resources and infrastructure. Intercommunal tensions are rising, particularly between Sudanese refugees and Chadian host communities, fueled by land disputes and ethnic rivalries. The presence of armed groups and the potential for regional destabilization are significant concerns. The article emphasizes the urgent need for a coordinated international response to support Chad, enhance border security, and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Governance, Conflict, refugee, Crisis, Insécurité, Destabilization

Niger is facing a complex humanitarian crisis characterized by insecurity, food shortages, epidemics, flooding, and high malnutrition rates. In 2025, 2.2 million people—8% of the population—are projected to be in acute food insecurity. Armed conflict, administrative barriers to humanitarian access, and the suspension of USAID funding are worsening the situation. Acute malnutrition remains alarming: 1.7 million children are expected to be affected, including 412,000 with severe acute malnutrition. The most impacted regions are Diffa, Tahoua, Maradi, and Tillabéri. ACF operates in these areas with an integrated, multisectoral approach including health, nutrition, WASH, and food security, with special focus on displaced populations and pastoralists. Despite strong impact, only 12% of the response needs are currently funded. The report calls for urgent, coordinated, and adequately resourced action to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

Natural ressources, Security, Education, Family, Food security, Gold, Human security, Information, Insécurité, Malnutrition

The Mali Lean Season Note 2025 by Action Against Hunger (ACF) highlights worsening food and nutritional vulnerabilities due to conflict, climate shocks, and displaced populations. In 2025, over 1.5 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity, worsened by cuts in humanitarian funding (notably from USAID and UNICEF). The closure of over 400 school canteens threatens child nutrition and education. ACF documents positive impacts of its interventions (reaching 234,000 individuals), including improved food consumption, dietary diversity, and reduced negative coping strategies. However, persistent insecurity hinders humanitarian access and disrupts health services, especially in northern regions. ACF advocates for an integrated and community-centered response grounded in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. It emphasizes the need to strengthen local systems, involve civil society in planning, and ensure coordinated advocacy to secure sustainable financing and equitable assistance delivery.

Gender, Natural ressources, Security, Family, Food security, Gold, Human security, Social, Health, Insécurité, Malnutrition, Crise humanitaire

In contexts of insecurity, qualitative research requires constant "adaptations," encapsulated by the phrase "the field dictates." This article explores ethnographic approaches that diverge from traditional methods, drawing on collaborative research conducted in Niger's Liptako-Gourma region—a transborder area between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and the epicenter of insecurity since 2015. Inspired by Michel de Certeau's concept of "tactics," the author employs "adaptation" to analyze practices in qualitative research under insecure conditions. Ethnographic constraints are viewed not as insurmountable obstacles but as opportunities to develop new methods while maintaining scientific rigor. These adaptations involve variations in usage and room for maneuver, influenced by the specific relationships between the researcher and the subject of study. The analysis of "ways of doing" encompasses both practical and ethical dimensions, as conducting research in insecure contexts leads to sensitive responses laden with emotions, discomfort, and empathy, which in turn influence knowledge production.

Knowlege production, Insécurité, Ethnography, Qualitative research