The WATHI podcast discusses a UNDP report highlighting an unprecedented slowdown in human development progress since 2020, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. It points out that only two African countries—the Seychelles and Mauritius—rank in the very high Human Development Index (HDI) category, while eight others (Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Gabon, Botswana, Libya, and Morocco) fall into the high HDI group. Meanwhile, 22 African nations are in the low HDI category, with Chad, the Central African Republic, Somalia, and South Sudan at the very bottom. The podcast also considers the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this context: a potential driver of progress, yet part of a complex debate on whether it can help reverse the current slowdown.

Inequality, Education, Politique publique, Intelligence artificielle, Human Development Index

The article, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on February 3, 2024, assesses the failure of Mali's promised democratic transition under the military junta that seized power in August 2020. The junta has repeatedly postponed elections and adopted a new constitution that consolidates power in the hands of Colonel Assimi Goïta. Security and economic conditions have worsened, with Islamist violence surging and poverty increasing. The withdrawal from ECOWAS, the G5 Sahel, and MINUSMA has left Mali isolated. Freedoms have shrunk, justice has been obstructed, and Russian mercenaries — implicated in serious human rights abuses — have been brought in. The article argues that the junta has broken its commitments to both citizens and international partners, rendering the concept of a “transition” meaningless.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Election, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Threat, Politique publique, Transition, Services publics

This article examines Africa's structural dependence on external actors in its technology sector, particularly highlighting cyber vulnerability risks. The continent’s ICT infrastructure is largely dominated by Chinese and American firms, raising serious questions about digital sovereignty. The author presents Africa’s tech stack in five layers (apps, operating systems, consumer products, infrastructure, service providers) and details global actors’ market shares. Despite foreign influence, African governments and firms retain strategic agency, illustrated by emerging cybersecurity regulations and homegrown innovation. The article urges African states to prioritize cybersecurity, promote supplier diversity, and better adapt technology choices to local needs. Reducing overreliance on foreign actors and strengthening national capacities are framed as key to safeguarding Africa’s digital future.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Influence, Private sector, Information

In 2024, Africa experienced unprecedented flooding across 27 countries, affecting over 11 million people, causing 2,500 deaths, and displacing 4 million. The most severely affected countries included Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Sudan, and South Sudan. These extreme events, intensified by climate change and El Niño, are becoming more frequent. The report emphasizes that governance is a key factor in vulnerability: the most affected countries are largely categorized as “not free,” with limited disaster response capacity. Poor infrastructure, weak institutional preparedness, and corruption have worsened the impact. The article calls for stronger climate resilience through improved governance, risk prevention policies, and early warning systems. It also links state fragility to environmental shocks and stresses the need for integrated solutions to address compounding humanitarian and climate-related crises.

Power, State, Governance, Natural ressources, Conflict, Education, Gold, Poverty, Threat, Civil Society

In this note published by WATHI on May 8, 2024, based on a report by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the article titled “Escaping Poverty: Developing the Transport Network in Chad” highlights the critical importance of transport infrastructure for Chad’s socio-economic development. The country suffers from geographic isolation worsened by an underdeveloped, poorly maintained road network. According to the IsDB, this situation limits access to essential services, undermines competitiveness, and exacerbates poverty. Improving transport infrastructure—particularly rural roads—would enhance trade flows, strengthen national integration, and generate employment. The article urges greater engagement from technical and financial partners to support strategic infrastructure projects as part of a long-term poverty reduction agenda.

Governance, Development, Poverty

The article explores the shortcomings of electoral democracy in Africa, often limited to formal processes with little impact on citizens' lives. It advocates for substantive democracy, focused on human dignity, reducing inequalities, and ensuring effective participation. The author highlights that post-electoral crises and armed conflicts, termed "new wars," weaken institutions and hinder democratic consolidation. He calls for rethinking the political contract by integrating inclusive policies and strengthening societal resilience against security challenges.

Governance, Inequality, Conflict, Democracy

In this interview, Dr. Oumoul Khairy Coulibaly Tandiang, a researcher at the École Supérieure d’Économie Appliquée (ESEA), emphasizes that Senegal's priority is to address social, economic, and territorial inequalities. She highlights the urgent need for reforms, particularly revising the Family Code to eliminate discriminatory articles against women, such as those concerning paternity recognition and child marriage. She also stresses the importance of improving women's access to land, noting their significant role in agricultural production. Furthermore, she discusses migration issues, advocating for approaches grounded in African realities rather than Western perceptions. Finally, she calls for better distribution of public services, reduction in the cost of living, and improved road safety to ensure collective well-being.

Migration, Inequality, Women, REAL ESTATE, Réforme, Services publics

In her interview, Amayel Diop, a lecturer and researcher at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, discusses the challenges of women's participation in Senegalese politics. She highlights the difficulty women face in balancing family life and political engagement, particularly due to political meetings often being scheduled at times incompatible with their domestic responsibilities. Ms. Diop critiques the 2010 parity law, believing it has not achieved its goals due to a lack of enforcement mechanisms. She urges women to move beyond secondary roles and take on leadership positions. Emphasizing the importance of intellectual and financial empowerment, she advocates for greater solidarity among women to overcome persistent sociocultural barriers.

Inequality, Gender, Women, Political participation

In the article titled "Toxic masculinity is very present within the media," published on December 6, 2021, on WATHI, Maïmouna Astou Yade emphasizes the crucial role of media in public life and their influence on perceptions of gender equality. She notes that, despite some progress, media coverage of women's issues remains inadequate, particularly regarding violence against women, which is often downplayed. Yade criticizes the persistence of patriarchal stereotypes in the media, which promote male leadership at the expense of female representation. She calls for a multidisciplinary approach to raise awareness and train media professionals on gender equality issues, aiming to transform internal practices and improve coverage of topics related to women.

Inequality, Gender, Inclusion