This study analyzes Early Warning Systems (EWS) in West Africa and their role in preventing and managing security, social, and climate-related crises. Based on field research conducted in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Togo with 120 key stakeholders, it examines the ECOWARN regional network as well as national and community-based mechanisms. The report highlights the importance of multilateral cooperation, rapid information circulation, and coordination between local, national, and regional levels. It also identifies persistent governance challenges, data-sharing constraints, and the diversity of system users. The gradual integration of artificial intelligence into data analysis emerges as a key innovation to enhance anticipation and response capacities. Overall, the interconnection of EWS strengthens regional resilience and reinforces West African multilateralism in the face of complex and evolving risks.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Information, Donnée, water

This article analyzes the evolution of Malian civil society within the political transition initiated in 2020. Amid profound institutional reforms, the dissolution of political parties in 2025, and a perceived shrinking of civic space, civil society faces a strategic turning point. The study provides a typological mapping of actors (human rights organizations, youth movements, women’s associations, trade unions, religious organizations, think tanks, and diaspora groups) and examines their contribution to state refoundation reforms. It highlights tensions between collaboration and autonomy, support for transitional authorities and counter-power functions. The article also emphasizes major structural challenges: dependency on external funding, organizational weaknesses, internal fragmentation, and political ambiguities. Despite these constraints, civil society remains a key actor in social cohesion and civic participation. The analysis concludes that its future will depend on its adaptability, financial resilience, and ability to clarify its democratic positioning.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Education, Gold, Social, Civil Society

This article examines the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), created in 2023 by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following a series of military coups. The author situates the AES within the broader trajectory of Sahelian securitization, rooted in counterterrorism strategies implemented since the early 2000s. Drawing on securitization and resilience theories, the study argues that AES regimes promote a form of “maintenance resilience,” aimed at preserving an already securitized political order rather than addressing the structural drivers of insecurity. Despite official narratives emphasizing sovereignty, rupture, and anti-imperialism, the Alliance largely reproduces existing security logics and dependencies, particularly through new external military partnerships. The analysis highlights how the dominance of security-based governance reinforces the suspension of democratic processes and limits prospects for political transformation. Ultimately, the article questions the capacity of the AES to provide a sustainable and inclusive response to the Sahel’s multidimensional crises.

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

The article examines ten key trends that shaped Africa’s security landscape in 2025, using graphical and comparative data. It highlights the growing regionalization of conflicts, particularly the fragmentation of Sudan, which has become the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The Sahel remains the deadliest region for Islamist militant violence, with security conditions worsening significantly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups. Political instability is closely linked to democratic backsliding, increasing impunity, and abuses of power. The article also emphasizes intensifying geopolitical competition, notably the expanding security and economic presence of China, Russia, and Gulf states across the continent. Technological changes, especially the widespread use of drones, are transforming the nature of warfare and increasing risks to civilians. Despite these challenges, the article notes partial but meaningful progress toward the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly in infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and continental economic integration.

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

The article examines China’s strategy to dominate Africa’s critical minerals sector, which is vital for defense technologies, energy transition, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence. Through long-term investments, China now controls more than half of global critical mineral production and about 87% of global refining capacity. In Africa, this dominance is built on the acquisition of strategic mines, control of key infrastructure—ports, railways, and energy—through the Belt and Road Initiative, and resource-backed financing agreements. This vertically integrated approach constrains African countries’ ability to move up the value chain and deepens their economic dependence. The article also highlights the environmental, social, and political risks linked to Chinese mining practices, illustrated by major pollution scandals in several African countries. In response, some African governments are pursuing greater mineral sovereignty through export restrictions, regional industrial zones, and local processing policies, aiming to capture more value from their natural resources and reduce structural dependency.

Politics, Political party, State, Sovereignty, Natural ressources, Justice, Gold, Influence, Private sector, Civil Society, Information

This article examines the challenges facing environmental protection in Guinea’s mining sector, despite the existence of a relatively robust legal framework. Rich in mineral resources, Guinea has liberalized its mining sector since the early 1990s under the influence of international financial institutions. The 2011 Mining Code, inspired by ECOWAS regional standards, includes environmental obligations throughout the mining lifecycle, including environmental impact assessments, pollution prevention, waste management, and site rehabilitation and closure. However, the author highlights significant implementation gaps. Limited transparency, reinforced by the confidentiality of environmental information held by mining companies, restricts access to information and weakens accountability. Guinea’s progress under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) remains modest. The article argues for stronger enforcement of international standards, such as those of the IFC, OECD, and the United Nations Global Compact, to promote more responsible environmental governance in the mining sector.

Political party, Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Transparency

The article assesses progress and remaining challenges in the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a long-term strategic framework aimed at building an integrated, prosperous, peaceful, and globally influential Africa by 2063. Organized around seven core aspirations, the Agenda is operationalized through ten-year implementation plans and flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Single African Air Transport Market, the African passport, and a continental high-speed rail network. The first ten-year plan (2014-2023) indicates that Africa has achieved slightly more than half of its targets, particularly in infrastructure development, economic integration, digital connectivity, and visa reforms. However, significant obstacles remain, including persistent financing gaps, uneven national implementation, regional insecurity, and limited institutional capacity. The article emphasizes that the long-term success of Agenda 2063 depends on stronger domestic resource mobilization, improved governance, and, critically, greater ownership by African citizens and the diaspora.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Development, Gold, Human security, water

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 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