The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin of Mauritania No. 36 examines agropastoral conditions during October–November 2025, a transition period between the rainy season and the dry season. Overall, pasture availability remains satisfactory in monitored areas (Hodh Chargui, Guidimakha, Brakna, and Gorgol), despite the gradual drying up of temporary water sources and an increase in bushfires, which threaten rangeland sustainability. Livestock body condition is generally good, although suspected animal diseases persist, prompting the launch of the 2025–2026 national livestock vaccination campaign. Markets remain supplied, but high cereal prices continue to limit favorable terms of trade for pastoral households. The bulletin also highlights growing pressure linked to the continuous arrival of Malian refugees, particularly in eastern Mauritania, increasing competition over natural resources and heightening the risk of social tensions.

State, Economic Development, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Knowlege production, water

This article examines the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for flood insurance in urban Burkina Faso, with a particular focus on the role of information and information sources. The analysis is based on a field survey conducted in September 2022 among 593 individuals in Ouagadougou. The findings indicate that 71.3% of respondents are willing to pay for flood insurance, although most report a WTP lower than the expected loss. Being well informed about flood risks increases WTP, but the relationship is not proportional, as perfectly informed individuals may display lower WTP. Trust in government and private insurance providers, as well as ambiguity aversion, positively influence WTP, while reliance on family networks and risk aversion reduce it. The study highlights the importance of integrating information effects and communication channels into flood risk management and insurance demand policies in urban contexts.

Power, State, Natural ressources, Education, Family, Gold, Medias, Knowlege production, Information, water

The article examines China’s strategy in Africa’s critical minerals sector, which is central to advanced technologies, energy transition, and national security. Through long-term investments, China has secured a dominant position not only in mining but, more importantly, in processing and refining capacities, enabling it to control much of the global value chain. In Africa, this strategy relies on large-scale mine acquisitions, offtake agreements, resource-backed financing, and deep integration into infrastructure such as railways, ports, and power generation. Despite Africa’s vast mineral wealth, the continent remains largely confined to exporting raw materials, with limited gains in industrialization, employment, and technology transfer. The article highlights power asymmetries, environmental and labor risks, and rising financial dependence. It also explores emerging African policy responses aimed at capturing more local value, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and enhancing economic sovereignty in the face of intense global competition.

Power, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Cooperation, Dialogue, Diplomacy, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

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

This article evaluates the impact of Senegal’s free health insurance programme for poor households, implemented through the National Family Security Scholarship Programme (PNBSF). Using 2019–2020 data from the rural area of Niakhar, the study assesses whether free enrollment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) improves healthcare utilisation and financial protection. Despite the programme’s intentions, the findings reveal major implementation failures: limited awareness among beneficiaries, unintentional or “virtual” enrollments, weak communication, and structural shortcomings within CBHI schemes. As a result, free insurance did not increase healthcare consultations during illness, antenatal care visits, or protection against catastrophic health expenditures. The only significant positive effect observed was an increase in facility-based deliveries. The authors conclude that the limited impact stems from implementation gaps rather than the concept of free insurance itself, stressing the need for stronger government commitment and measures to reduce barriers to accessing covered services.

Governance, Inequality, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Health, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Politique publique, Protection

The article examines the evolution of assisted deliveries in community health centres (CsCOM) in the Malian districts of Mopti and Bandiagara amid rising insecurity. Using a mixed-methods design combining spatial analyses, health centre performance indicators, and qualitative interviews, the study highlights strong territorial disparities. While most communes show declining or stagnant assisted delivery rates, some centres located near areas of violence experience increasing numbers. This paradox is explained by large-scale population displacement toward perceived safer areas hosting better-performing health centres, often supported by NGOs providing free maternal care and awareness campaigns. Conversely, remote centres show reduced utilisation due to the departure of qualified staff, reduced household income, and fear of travelling during insecurity. The findings demonstrate that conflict does not affect all services or territories equally and emphasise the need for fine-scale analyses to accurately assess how insecurity shapes maternal healthcare utilisation.

Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

This study assesses the Health and Social Development Program (PADSS2) implemented in Mali’s Mopti region to improve healthcare access for pregnant women and children amid increasing terrorist attacks. Using a controlled interrupted time series analysis (2016–2021), the authors compared intervention and control districts. Results show modest but positive effects: assisted deliveries increased by 1.5%, antenatal consultations by 1–2%, and under-five child visits also rose. However, intensified terrorist activity led to a sharp decline in child consultations (up to 40%). The program’s overall impact remained below expectations due to security challenges, governance constraints, and limited implementation capacity. The authors call for stronger collaboration between donors and researchers, and better integration of security dynamics in the design and evaluation of public health interventions in fragile contexts.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Influence, Health, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Information

The article “The Challenges of the Debate on the Decolonization of Global Health in Francophone Countries”, published in Santé Publique (Vol. 37, No. 1, 2025) by Valéry Ridde, Amandine Fillol, Fatoumata Hane, and Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, examines the controversies surrounding decolonization within Francophone global health. The authors highlight the growing academic interest in this topic alongside persistent institutional resistance to questioning colonial power structures. They discuss epistemic injustices that marginalize non-Western knowledge and emphasize the need for reflexivity, relational responsibility, and cognitive justice. The editorial calls for transforming research practices, partnerships, and policies to authentically integrate Southern voices and knowledge systems, fostering more equitable and inclusive global health governance.

Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Gold, Social, Health, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Colonization

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Senegal (August–September 2025), published by Action Against Hunger (ACF), assesses pasture and livestock conditions amid delayed and uneven rainfall. Pastoral zones in the north and centre (Ferlo, Louga, Matam) face significant forage stress, prompting early livestock movements southward and into neighbouring countries. Animal body condition is average, yet low milk production and rising feed costs are undermining household livelihoods. Livestock markets remain active but show stagnant prices. ACF calls for targeted assistance (fodder, water, veterinary care) and stronger coordination among humanitarian actors before the critical lean season expected by December 2025.

Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Gold, Human security, Researh, Knowlege production, Marché, Transhumance, water