The article argues that conflicts in the Sahel should not be understood solely through the lens of jihadist ideology. Instead, it highlights the interaction between weak state institutions, social marginalization, cross-border trafficking networks, and armed insurgencies. Armed groups exploit porous borders and benefit from illicit economies involving fuel, gold, livestock, weapons, and drug trafficking. The article also explains that jihadist organizations often establish local systems of governance, taxation, and protection, allowing them to gain legitimacy among populations neglected by central governments. The authors criticize predominantly military responses adopted by Sahelian states and international actors, arguing that such strategies fail to address the structural roots of insecurity. According to the article, long-term stability in the Sahel requires broader policies focused on governance reform, economic opportunities, social justice, and the management of intercommunal tensions. The study therefore proposes a more complex understanding of Sahelian conflicts beyond conventional counterterrorism narratives.

Governance, Sahel, Djihadisme

The article examines the failures and controversial consequences of French military cooperation programs in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. The author argues that Western military assistance and training programs have failed to stabilize the region or professionalize local armed forces. Instead, they have sometimes strengthened corrupt governments, encouraged military impunity, and contributed to violence against civilians. The failure of Operation Barkhane illustrates the contradictions of a counterterrorism strategy focused mainly on military responses while neglecting the political and institutional roots of instability. The article also highlights the involvement of some Sahelian armies in arms trafficking and predatory economic practices. Furthermore, the author criticizes the lack of democratic oversight and serious evaluation of French military partnerships in Africa. He suggests that beyond security concerns, these cooperations also serve geopolitical influence, intelligence gathering, and the preservation of France’s military presence and strategic interests on the continent.

Politics, Political party, Power, Security, Justice, Conflict, Education, Human security, Cooperation, Threat

This article critically examines the concept of "jihadist governance" in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, drawing on case studies from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Somalia. The author analyses the capacity of armed groups — JNIM, Islamic State in the Sahel, Boko Haram/ISWAP and Al-Shabaab — to administer territory, maintain order, dispense justice and collect taxes. He demonstrates that such governance remains episodic, fragmented and unsustainable: pre-conflict state standards in rural areas were already so low that any alternative form of order appears relatively effective. Jihadist taxation (zakat, levies, tolls) is inconsistent, often arbitrary and largely non-compliant with Islamic jurisprudence. Popular support stems primarily from state failure rather than genuine ideological allegiance. The author concludes that jihadist groups are unlikely to seize regional capitals, and that their resilience should not be mistaken for a genuine capacity to govern.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Governance, Justice, Conflict, Education, Social, Threat

This report analyzes early warning systems (EWS) in West Africa and their role in preventing security, social, and climate-related crises. It highlights the importance of the ECOWARN system of ECOWAS, connected with national systems and the African Union’s continental mechanism. Based on field research involving 120 stakeholders across four countries, the study shows that institutional cooperation and information sharing are key to anticipating conflicts. It emphasizes the contribution of technological innovations, particularly artificial intelligence, in data analysis and improving response capacity. However, several challenges remain, including limited coordination, insufficient technical resources, weak political ownership, and difficulties in translating alerts into concrete actions. The report recommends strengthening system interoperability, human capacities, and regional cooperation to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of early warning systems.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Information, Crisis, Donnée

The article offers a critical review of the literature on the crisis of research for development in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa, from independence to the present. It argues that this crisis is structural, marked by institutional weaknesses, insufficient funding, external dependency, and the marginalization of social sciences. In the 1960s–70s, the main issue was capacity building, accompanied by relative optimism. From the 1980s–90s onward, the crisis deepened due to structural adjustment policies, massification of higher education, and the weakening of research systems. Since the 2000s, the crisis persists but has evolved with globalization, the rise of consultancy work, and the fragmentation of scientific communities. The author highlights the importance of internal factors (governance, public policies, academic organization) and advocates for reclaiming scientific production grounded in African realities.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Education, Development, Social, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Crisis

This policy brief examines the implications of Germany’s new budgetary orientations for Mali, particularly the significant reduction in German humanitarian and development assistance. Mali faces multiple crises, including food insecurity, armed conflicts, political instability and climate shocks, which make the country highly dependent on international aid. Germany has long been one of the main donors, funding humanitarian relief, agricultural resilience, health services and social cohesion projects implemented by NGOs and international agencies. However, recent budget cuts—combined with the withdrawal or reduction of assistance from several Western partners—could worsen Mali’s humanitarian situation. Reduced funding may limit access to basic services, undermine local economic initiatives and weaken conflict prevention mechanisms. The article also highlights the importance of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in addressing complex crises and promoting long-term stability. It recommends maintaining priority funding for Mali, strengthening aid localization and promoting community empowerment to reduce dependence on external assistance.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Aid, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

This policy brief examines the consequences of the drastic reduction in U.S. foreign aid, particularly the suspension of USAID funding announced after 2025, on the Lake Chad Basin region. The region already faces multiple crises, including violent extremism, structural poverty, large-scale population displacement, food insecurity, and climate-related environmental stress. For decades, international aid—especially from USAID—has played a crucial role in supporting humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education, social cohesion, and peacebuilding initiatives. Based on interviews conducted with non-governmental organizations operating in Nigeria and Cameroon, the study highlights how funding cuts are disrupting humanitarian programs and weakening essential services for vulnerable populations. The reduction of aid risks deepening instability, increasing humanitarian needs, and exacerbating recruitment by violent extremist groups. The brief therefore stresses the need to diversify funding sources and strengthen local institutional capacities in order to reduce dependency on international donors and ensure more sustainable responses to the region’s complex crises.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Gold, Human security, Aid, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

This policy brief examines the consequences of the suspension of funding from the United States Agency for International Development in Cameroon, amid security crises linked to Boko Haram and internal conflicts. In 2023, U.S. assistance accounted for a substantial share of foreign aid to Cameroon, particularly in the health sector. The abrupt withdrawal in 2025 led to project closures, mass layoffs, and shortages of essential medicines, especially for HIV and malaria programs. Vulnerable populations—including refugees, internally displaced persons, and children—have been the most affected, with malaria-related mortality rising again. However, the funding suspension is also seen as an opportunity to rethink structural dependence on external aid, promote localization, diversify partnerships (EU, BRICS, private foundations), and strengthen domestic investment in health in line with the Abuja Declaration. The brief concludes with strategic recommendations to enhance resilience and sustainability in humanitarian and development sectors.

Youth, Health, Crisis, EMPLOYMENT