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, 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, Human security, Aid, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production

The article examines China’s strategy in Africa’s critical minerals sector, which is central to advanced technologies, energy transition, and national security. Through long-term investments, China has secured a dominant position not only in mining but, more importantly, in processing and refining capacities, enabling it to control much of the global value chain. In Africa, this strategy relies on large-scale mine acquisitions, offtake agreements, resource-backed financing, and deep integration into infrastructure such as railways, ports, and power generation. Despite Africa’s vast mineral wealth, the continent remains largely confined to exporting raw materials, with limited gains in industrialization, employment, and technology transfer. The article highlights power asymmetries, environmental and labor risks, and rising financial dependence. It also explores emerging African policy responses aimed at capturing more local value, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and enhancing economic sovereignty in the face of intense global competition.

Power, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Cooperation, Dialogue, Diplomacy, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

This article evaluates the impact of Senegal’s free health insurance programme for poor households, implemented through the National Family Security Scholarship Programme (PNBSF). Using 2019–2020 data from the rural area of Niakhar, the study assesses whether free enrollment in community-based health insurance (CBHI) improves healthcare utilisation and financial protection. Despite the programme’s intentions, the findings reveal major implementation failures: limited awareness among beneficiaries, unintentional or “virtual” enrollments, weak communication, and structural shortcomings within CBHI schemes. As a result, free insurance did not increase healthcare consultations during illness, antenatal care visits, or protection against catastrophic health expenditures. The only significant positive effect observed was an increase in facility-based deliveries. The authors conclude that the limited impact stems from implementation gaps rather than the concept of free insurance itself, stressing the need for stronger government commitment and measures to reduce barriers to accessing covered services.

Governance, Inequality, Gender, Conflict, Religious education, Education, Health, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Politique publique, Protection

The article examines the evolution of assisted deliveries in community health centres (CsCOM) in the Malian districts of Mopti and Bandiagara amid rising insecurity. Using a mixed-methods design combining spatial analyses, health centre performance indicators, and qualitative interviews, the study highlights strong territorial disparities. While most communes show declining or stagnant assisted delivery rates, some centres located near areas of violence experience increasing numbers. This paradox is explained by large-scale population displacement toward perceived safer areas hosting better-performing health centres, often supported by NGOs providing free maternal care and awareness campaigns. Conversely, remote centres show reduced utilisation due to the departure of qualified staff, reduced household income, and fear of travelling during insecurity. The findings demonstrate that conflict does not affect all services or territories equally and emphasise the need for fine-scale analyses to accurately assess how insecurity shapes maternal healthcare utilisation.

Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Threat, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT

The article “The Challenges of the Debate on the Decolonization of Global Health in Francophone Countries”, published in Santé Publique (Vol. 37, No. 1, 2025) by Valéry Ridde, Amandine Fillol, Fatoumata Hane, and Fati Kirakoya-Samadoulougou, examines the controversies surrounding decolonization within Francophone global health. The authors highlight the growing academic interest in this topic alongside persistent institutional resistance to questioning colonial power structures. They discuss epistemic injustices that marginalize non-Western knowledge and emphasize the need for reflexivity, relational responsibility, and cognitive justice. The editorial calls for transforming research practices, partnerships, and policies to authentically integrate Southern voices and knowledge systems, fostering more equitable and inclusive global health governance.

Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Social, Health, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Colonization

This study assesses the Health and Social Development Program (PADSS2) implemented in Mali’s Mopti region to improve healthcare access for pregnant women and children amid increasing terrorist attacks. Using a controlled interrupted time series analysis (2016–2021), the authors compared intervention and control districts. Results show modest but positive effects: assisted deliveries increased by 1.5%, antenatal consultations by 1–2%, and under-five child visits also rose. However, intensified terrorist activity led to a sharp decline in child consultations (up to 40%). The program’s overall impact remained below expectations due to security challenges, governance constraints, and limited implementation capacity. The authors call for stronger collaboration between donors and researchers, and better integration of security dynamics in the design and evaluation of public health interventions in fragile contexts.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Education, Human security, Influence, Health, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Information

This Action Against Hunger report assesses biomass production in northern Côte d’Ivoire (Bagoué, Bounkani, Folon, Poro, and Tchologo regions) during the 2025 season. Findings show a marked improvement compared to 2024, with production levels equal to or above the 25-year average. Departments such as Ferkessédougou and Minignan nearly reached historical maxima, while M’Bengué and Ouangolodougou remained below average. The report highlights the strain on pastoral resources due to cross-border transhumance and inflows of herders from Burkina Faso and Mali. The authors recommend maintaining monitoring systems for pastoral zones, strengthening awareness among host and transhumant communities, and guiding herders toward areas with higher biomass potential to ensure sustainable management of grazing resources.

Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Justice, Education, Poverty, Vulnerability, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, water