This panel, organized by Afrikajom Center in Dakar, brought together intellectuals, researchers, and civil society actors to examine the resurgence of military coups in West Africa. Discussions highlighted the failure of democratic transitions, the decline of the Baule model, widespread corruption, constitutional manipulation, and the perceived illegitimacy of ECOWAS. Speakers, including Gilles Yabi, Ndioro Ndiaye, and Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed the importance of military ethics, geopolitical shifts, and the weakening of rule of law and political representation. The debate underscored citizens’ growing support for military takeovers in contexts where civilian governments fail. Recommendations emphasized the need for endogenous reforms, strict term limits, strengthened democratic institutions, and the inclusion of civil society in regional governance frameworks. The event concluded with a call for bold, culturally rooted actions to address West Africa’s democratic and security crises.

Governance, Democracy, Crisis, Réforme, Coup d'État

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

The report titled "Security Sector Reform and Governance in Senegal," written by Colonel Babacar Diouf and published by the African Security Sector Network (ASSN) on January 22, 2024, examines the historical evolution and current state of Security Sector Governance (SSG) in Senegal. It analyzes key components of the sector, including the Army, Gendarmerie, Police, Special Forces, Intelligence Services, and the Penitentiary Sector. The article highlights major reforms undertaken since independence to strengthen the capacities of the armed forces and underscores contemporary challenges the country faces in terms of security.

Governance, Security, Réforme

Despite improvements in certain indicators, the Nigerien healthcare system remains precarious and dominated by a logic of "inhospitable medicine." This fragility is largely explained by the predominance of intervention mechanisms and public policies largely dictated and funded by international donors, often far removed from local dynamics and the operational realities of healthcare services. However, in this constrained context, certain structures stand out for the quality of the care they provide. They are unique in that they are led by committed local actors, true "shadow reformers," who design pragmatic and contextually adapted solutions to daily dysfunctions. Based on an ethnographic investigation, this article examines the logics of innovation at work in these marginal spaces of transformation. Drawing on operational research, it argues for recognition and increased support for these bottom-up reform dynamics, which are likely to constitute a credible alternative – or at least a necessary complement – ​​to conventional approaches to improving health systems.

Politics, Governance, Public Administration, Health, Réforme, Politique publique

The document analyzes the evolution of the security system in Burkina Faso in a context of security crises. It highlights the internal and external challenges facing the country, including the rise of terrorism, internal insecurity and the fragility of the defense and security forces. After the fall of the Blaise Compaoré regime in 2014, the country experienced increasing instability with the intensification of jihadist attacks and the emergence of local self-defense groups (Kogl-wéogo). The dissolution of the Presidential Security Regiment (RSP) in 2015 also marked a significant rupture, leaving a security vacuum. The document highlights the need for a profound reform of the army and police forces, including the redefinition of missions, better coordination between security forces and strengthening the capacities of intelligence services. Finally, cooperation with foreign forces and civil society are presented as key elements to guarantee security.

Politics, Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Terrorism, Gold, Military activity, Human security, Réforme

The article examines financial control mechanisms in the security sector in the Sahel, in a context marked by increasing political and security instability. It highlights the need to improve governance and transparency of spending allocated to security forces to strengthen citizens’ trust. Reforms involve close cooperation between parliaments, oversight institutions, civil society and the media. Particular attention is paid to structural challenges such as the ineffectiveness of legal frameworks and the limited application of existing mechanisms. Lessons drawn from evaluations in Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger call for rigorous and inclusive financial practices.

Governance, Security, Security Management, Réforme

The article looks back at the 2024 legislative elections in Senegal, marked by political tensions and an unprecedented parliamentary configuration. After the victory of Bassirou Diomaye Faye in the presidential election of March 2024, the objective is to secure a parliamentary majority to implement the promised reforms, particularly in terms of governance and the fight against corruption. The major issues include the consolidation of presidential power and the modernization of infrastructure. The election, with a mixed majority and proportional system, aims to renew the 165 seats in the National Assembly while breaking the political cohabitation inherited from the 2022 elections.

Power, Governance, Election, Réforme

The article “Burkina Faso: rethinking territorial administration and development planning (first part)” analyzes the country's social, political and security crises, attributed to ineffective governance and inadequate local development. He proposes a reform of territorial administration, suggesting regionalization inspired by the Kenyan model, where the regions would have increased autonomy and limited legislative powers under the control of the central state. This approach aims to strengthen the legitimacy of local governments, improve territorial governance and involve populations more in decision-making, while preserving national unity.

Governance, Public Administration, Local development, Réforme