The article highlights unresolved armed conflicts as the primary driver of acute food insecurity in Africa. In 2025, a record 167 million Africans faced acute food insecurity, with over 130 million living in conflict-affected countries. More than 700,000 people are at risk of famine, mainly in Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali. Conflicts severely disrupt agricultural production, markets, transport systems, and humanitarian access, while triggering large-scale population displacement. The analysis shows that five countries—Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia, and South Sudan—account for nearly two-thirds of acute food insecurity on the continent. The article also stresses the regional spillover effects of conflicts, which strain neighboring countries and humanitarian response capacities. It concludes that famine is fundamentally a man-made catastrophe, with long-term economic and security consequences, undermining human capital, stability, and development prospects across Africa.

Politics, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Food security, Poverty, Human security, Insécurité, Food insecurity

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, 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, 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, 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, Human security, Crisis, Insécurité, Food insecurity

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, 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, Human security, Social, Health, Insécurité, Malnutrition, Crise humanitaire

The report "Responding to Insecurity in Liptako-Gourma" by Ibrahim Maïga, published by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in March 2021, examines the strategies implemented to address the growing insecurity in the Liptako-Gourma region (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger). The report highlights the shortcomings of military and security approaches, often based on a limited understanding of instability factors such as violent extremism, local conflicts, and illicit activities. Despite various stabilization efforts, results remain inconsistent, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach integrating security, development, and governance. The study recommends enhancing civilian protection, improving coordination, and engaging in dialogue with extremist groups. Judicial inaction and human rights violations further exacerbate tensions, making a reassessment of current strategies urgent.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Mediation, Human security, Threat, Dialogue, Insécurité

The article “Security from Below: Citizen Perceptions and Perspectives on Security Challenges in Burkina Faso”, authored by Sylvie Ayimpam, examines citizens' perceptions of insecurity in Burkina Faso. Instead of focusing on institutional approaches, the article highlights local experiences in rural and urban communities. The fall of Blaise Compaoré’s regime marked the beginning of greater instability, including terrorism, economic violence, and widespread banditry. Citizen initiatives, such as self-defense groups, have emerged as a response to the perceived ineffectiveness of security forces. Women also play an active role despite being particularly vulnerable. The article underscores the resilience of communities in the face of multiple crises while critiquing the lack of a robust conceptual framework to analyze insecurity.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat, Insécurité