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 article examines the emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), created in 2023 by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following a series of military coups. The author situates the AES within the broader trajectory of Sahelian securitization, rooted in counterterrorism strategies implemented since the early 2000s. Drawing on securitization and resilience theories, the study argues that AES regimes promote a form of “maintenance resilience,” aimed at preserving an already securitized political order rather than addressing the structural drivers of insecurity. Despite official narratives emphasizing sovereignty, rupture, and anti-imperialism, the Alliance largely reproduces existing security logics and dependencies, particularly through new external military partnerships. The analysis highlights how the dominance of security-based governance reinforces the suspension of democratic processes and limits prospects for political transformation. Ultimately, the article questions the capacity of the AES to provide a sustainable and inclusive response to the Sahel’s multidimensional crises.

Politics, Political party, State, Governance, Natural ressources, Security, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat

This article examines the impact of the suspension of USAID activities on Nigeria’s health ecosystem, with a particular focus on HIV and malaria programmes, health workforce stability, and domestic health financing. Based on key informant interviews with government officials, civil society organisations, and implementing partners, the study highlights how the abrupt funding cuts led to service disruptions, medicine stock-outs, layoffs of health workers, and weakened monitoring and prevention mechanisms. These effects were especially severe in states heavily reliant on external donor funding. Despite these challenges, the article documents adaptive responses by Nigerian authorities and partners, including budget reallocations, engagement with new donors, and increased emphasis on domestic resource mobilisation. The author argues that the crisis exposes the structural vulnerability of health systems dependent on a single donor and calls for more resilient, diversified, and nationally anchored financing strategies. The article concludes with policy recommendations aimed at strengthening sustainability and preparedness within Nigeria’s health sector.

State, Economic Development, Conflict, Development, Donor, Threat, Aid, Knowlege production, EMPLOYMENT, Funding

The article examines ten key trends that shaped Africa’s security landscape in 2025, using graphical and comparative data. It highlights the growing regionalization of conflicts, particularly the fragmentation of Sudan, which has become the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The Sahel remains the deadliest region for Islamist militant violence, with security conditions worsening significantly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger following military coups. Political instability is closely linked to democratic backsliding, increasing impunity, and abuses of power. The article also emphasizes intensifying geopolitical competition, notably the expanding security and economic presence of China, Russia, and Gulf states across the continent. Technological changes, especially the widespread use of drones, are transforming the nature of warfare and increasing risks to civilians. Despite these challenges, the article notes partial but meaningful progress toward the African Union’s Agenda 2063, particularly in infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and continental economic integration.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat

The report demonstrates a sharp deterioration of Mali’s security situation since the military junta seized power in 2020. Violence by militant Islamist groups has surged and now covers every region, including areas close to Bamako. Maps throughout the report (pp. 1–4) show the rapid geographic expansion of attacks. In 2023, Mali is on track to exceed 1,000 violent events, nearly triple the level recorded when the junta took power. Focused on consolidating its rule, the junta alienated regional and international security partners and demanded the withdrawal of the 15,000-strong UN mission (MINUSMA), pushing northern Mali to the brink of renewed civil war. The arrival of Russia-linked Wagner forces has worsened abuses, with more than 320 human rights violations documented. In the center and south, FLM, JNIM, and ISGS have strengthened their operations. State authority is collapsing as civilians face escalating attacks, instability, and governance breakdown.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat

Africa is experiencing a historic surge in forced displacement, with 45.7 million people uprooted, representing 3% of the continent’s population . Conflict is the main driver, as 96% of displaced populations originate from countries affected by armed violence. Sudan has become the epicenter, recording 14.4 million forcibly displaced people, including 10 million internally displaced—the highest figure worldwide. Regional conflicts increasingly overlap: 8 of the 11 African countries hosting the most refugees are themselves in conflict, highlighting the interconnected crises of the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Lake Chad Basin. Burkina Faso accounts for one of the largest internal displacement crises. Some fragile improvements appear in Ethiopia and the DRC due to returns in partially stabilized regions. Meanwhile, natural disasters—mainly floods—have increased forced displacement by 33%, adding 5.6 million new victims and compounding the vulnerability of populations already affected by conflict.

Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat, Civil Society, Crisis, Déplacement forcé

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 expansion of Jama’at Nasrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) into western and southern Mali, marked by seven coordinated attacks launched by the Macina Liberation Front (FLM) on July 1, 2025. These operations targeted Kayes and Nioro du Sahel—two strategic economic and religious hubs—opening a new front far from the group’s traditional strongholds in central and northern Mali. JNIM’s strategy aims to isolate Bamako by attacking key trade routes, fuel convoys, and industrial sites, causing shortages, rising prices, and severe disruption of commercial activity. Despite strengthened military checkpoints, ambushes continue, resulting in kidnappings, destroyed tankers, and population displacement toward Senegal and Mauritania. The FLM’s growing reach, combined with the junta’s increasing political repression and its break with international security partners, deepens Mali’s fragmentation and heightens risks for neighboring coastal states.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Human security, Violence, Threat