This Policy Brief examines the Sahel’s complex crisis, rooted in insecurity, poverty, marginalization, and weak governance. The author critiques military-centered strategies, particularly those led by the European Union, as misaligned with local needs and overly focused on migration control and counterterrorism. Mahssoun argues that such approaches deepen dependency and fail to resolve underlying causes. Instead, she advocates for an African-led response based on regional integration, South-South cooperation, and inclusive socio-economic programs. Initiatives such as the Liptako-Gourma Charter and the Atlantic Africa Initiative are highlighted as promising models, combining security measures with economic development, regional value chains, and community resilience. The recommendations emphasize investments in education, job creation, healthcare, and strategic infrastructure, while fostering local ownership and participation. This Pan-African approach seeks to provide a sustainable pathway to peace and development in the Sahel.

Governance, Economic Development, Security, Peace, Education, Development, Human security, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, Regional integration

This article explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy among university students in Ghana and Nigeria, focusing on the affective, behavioral, cognitive, and ethical dimensions (ABCE framework). Based on a survey of 427 students, it demonstrates that motivation and self-efficacy (affective) positively influence knowledge and critical thinking (cognitive), mediated by collaboration (behavioral) and ethical awareness. Results reveal that country differences do not significantly affect these relationships, highlighting a shared underlying mechanism for AI literacy development in West Africa. The study emphasizes the need to strengthen motivation, promote collaborative learning, embed ethical reasoning in curricula, and contextualize pedagogies for local realities. It contributes original empirical evidence to global AI literacy debates by foregrounding West African contexts and offering practical strategies for integrating AI education in resource-constrained environments.

Economic Development, Religious education, Education, Development, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Information, EMPLOYMENT, Intelligence artificielle, Literacy

This article examines the trends and determinants of anemia among women of reproductive age in Mali using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 2001 to 2018. Findings reveal persistently high anemia prevalence despite some fluctuations: a decrease between 2001 and 2006 followed by an increase in later years. Key associated factors include age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status, rural versus urban residence, and number of children. The analysis highlights the strong influence of poverty and unequal access to healthcare in sustaining the problem. The authors recommend multisectoral interventions addressing nutrition, female education, and health service delivery improvements as crucial to reducing anemia and mitigating its adverse impact on maternal and child health.

Inequality, Gender, Natural ressources, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Women, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Santé publique

This article examines the use of artificial intelligence techniques to predict interstate armed conflicts in West Africa. Using a comprehensive dataset spanning 1981–2018 and covering 16 countries in the region, the authors tested three machine learning models: random forest, logistic regression, and decision tree. Findings indicate that the random forest model performs best (98% accuracy, 83% recall). The most relevant predictors of conflict are differences in democracy levels and shared borders, while military expenditures prove less influential. The study highlights elevated risks for certain dyads, such as Guinea–Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast–Burkina Faso. By demonstrating the effectiveness of predictive models, this research contributes to the development of early warning systems for conflict prevention. However, it also stresses the limitations due to data imbalance and the need for continuous updates to enhance forecasting accuracy.

State, Security, Peace, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Intelligence artificielle

The article “Future research directions for climate-sensitive social protection” examines the current limitations of social protection systems in addressing climate change impacts, with a focus on the Sahel. While vital for crisis mitigation, such programs face challenges of low coverage, weak integration of climate data, and limited resources. Based on a global review and a regional case study in the Sahel (notably Mauritania and Senegal), the paper argues that scaling up and adapting existing programs may be more effective than creating new ones. Two key research priorities are highlighted: improving climate risk assessments to better inform program design, and developing “dynamic social registries” that combine socio-economic and environmental data for targeted responses. The authors stress the need for longitudinal studies, systematic evaluations, and pragmatic approaches that link social protection, climate adaptation, and community resilience.

Climate change, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Protection

This study examines the sharp decline in under-five mortality in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2021, using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data and the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method. Findings indicate that under-five mortality dropped from 128 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 48 per 1,000 in 2021. The decline is mainly explained (77%) by performance effects, including behavioral changes and the effectiveness of health policies, while demographic composition changes accounted for only 23%. Key factors include the reduction in uneducated mothers, wider use of mosquito nets, urbanization, and improved health behaviors among unemployed women. Nevertheless, significant disparities remain in high-risk regions such as the Sahel and the Southwest, where targeted interventions are essential to improve healthcare access and reduce inequalities. The study highlights the importance of integrating health policies with education, economic development, and sanitation for sustained progress.

Politics, Economic Development, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Development, Family, Women, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Démographie, Santé publique

The "Country Profile – Niger," published on July 17, 2025, by the PASAS platform, analyzes 335 references about Niger. The document is structured around six themes: governance, security and conflict, peace and mediation, education and gender, economic development, and environment. Governance is shaped by shifting regional alliances (AES, ECOWAS), anti-French sentiment, and a dominant military approach. The security section highlights Sahel-wide crises, border violence, jihadist groups, national armies, and self-defense militias. Peacebuilding discussions include community resilience, women’s involvement, and the revival of customary justice systems. Education, mental health, and gender issues are addressed with a strong focus on youth vulnerability. Lastly, environmental challenges are explored through themes like climate change, pastoralism, and artisanal gold mining, revealing a complex intersection of ecological and economic dynamics.

Politics, Political party, Governance, Environment, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Human security, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article "Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation in the Sahel and West Africa", based on a dialogue by WATHI and the SWAC, highlights the region's growing vulnerability to climate change. Sahel and West Africa face rapid biodiversity loss, agro-pastoral conflicts, droughts, floods, and forced displacement. Urbanization and demographic pressure increase competition for resources. Panelists call for an energy transition based on renewables, improved water management, integration of local knowledge, and a shift in scientific research towards practical solutions. The report urges a rethinking of development policies through a sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon lens.

Politics, Political party, Economic Development, Climate change, Natural ressources, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article titled “Financing and Transforming Agriculture in the Sahel and West Africa”, written by Dr. Maman-Lawal Bagoudou Mossi, addresses the structural challenges of agriculture, especially in Niger. Structural adjustment programs in the 1980s led to the withdrawal of the state from productive sectors, dismantling support systems for farmers and limiting access to credit. This disengagement increased dependency on imports and worsened trade imbalances. Commercial banks, ill-suited for the realities of agriculture, created a gap filled by the Agricultural Bank of Niger (BAGRI), which offers inclusive credit schemes, particularly for women and youth. The article calls for a major overhaul of agricultural financing, including guaranteed funds, public-private partnerships, modernization of farming techniques, and targeted support policies for producers.

State, Economic Development, Gender, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production