The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin No. 27 assesses pastoral conditions in Burkina Faso during August–September 2025, the peak of the rainy season. Based on field surveys and satellite data, the report highlights generally good availability of pasture and water resources, with vegetation cover ranging from 60% to 90%. Livestock mobility is reduced, and animal concentrations are moderate to high, particularly around agricultural areas. However, regional disparities remain, with localized shortages of pasture and water in parts of western and central Burkina Faso. Although cereal prices declined slightly and livestock prices improved marginally, terms of trade continue to be unfavorable for herders. The bulletin also reports persistent cattle theft and localized conflicts, especially in border areas. Overall, pastoral conditions have improved compared to the previous period, but the report emphasizes the need to strengthen pastoral resilience, improve conflict prevention mechanisms, and enhance support to pastoral communities.

State, Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security, Marché, water

This regional report by Action Against Hunger assesses vegetation biomass production in the Sahel during the 2025 growing season using satellite imagery and climatic data. It finds that the 2025 rainy season was generally normal to above average across Sahelian countries, resulting in good to very good biomass production, exceeding the 25-year average, though remaining below the exceptional levels observed in 2024. Central Sahel areas, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, recorded significant positive anomalies, while localized deficits persist in western Senegal, south-western Mauritania and the Lake Chad basin. In coastal countries, biomass production remains below average despite slight improvement compared to 2024. The report indicates that pastoral vulnerability for the 2026 dry season is generally low; however, insecurity, restrictions on transhumant movements and livestock concentration significantly constrain access to grazing resources, increasing the risk of early and difficult pastoral lean periods in several zones.

Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Knowlege production, water

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Senegal (August–September 2025), published by Action Against Hunger (ACF), assesses pasture and livestock conditions amid delayed and uneven rainfall. Pastoral zones in the north and centre (Ferlo, Louga, Matam) face significant forage stress, prompting early livestock movements southward and into neighbouring countries. Animal body condition is average, yet low milk production and rising feed costs are undermining household livelihoods. Livestock markets remain active but show stagnant prices. ACF calls for targeted assistance (fodder, water, veterinary care) and stronger coordination among humanitarian actors before the critical lean season expected by December 2025.

Pastoralism, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Food security, Gold, Human security, Researh, Knowlege production, Marché, Transhumance, water

This study maps Senegal’s cattle and small ruminant trade network using 2020 sanitary certificates (LPS). Applying temporal network theory, it identifies areas most vulnerable to disease transmission, such as Foot and Mouth Disease. The findings show that livestock mobility—driven by climate, markets, and religious events (Tabaski, Grand Magal)—shapes the dynamics of disease spread. Static models tend to overestimate transmission speed, while temporal analysis highlights key “sentinel nodes” for early warning systems. Strengthening cross-border coordination and improving regular data collection are crucial for effective surveillance and control of transboundary animal diseases in West Africa.

Pastoralism, Livestock, Justice, Conflict, Threat, Trade, Researh, Knowlege production, Information, EMPLOYMENT

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, Gold, Poverty, Vulnerability, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production, water

The 2025 Mid-Season Regional Biomass Bulletin by Action Against Hunger (ACF) provides an overview of agro-environmental conditions across the Sahel and West Africa. It reports that overall biomass production is average to good, except in specific zones of Mali, Niger, Chad, and northern Burkina Faso where vegetation remains below normal. Irregular rainfall and uneven temporal distribution have delayed the agricultural season in several pastoral regions, affecting pasture regeneration and water availability for livestock. The bulletin warns of potential rapid degradation of natural resources and emphasizes the need for continuous agro-pastoral monitoring through the end of the season to prevent food and livelihood crises.

Economic Development, Pastoralism, Natural ressources, Security, Development, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Researh, Knowlege production

This article highlights the urgent need to restore trust between communities in West Africa, in the face of growing intercommunal violence, particularly targeting the Fulani. Binta Sidibé Gascon, president of the Kisal Observatory, denounces abuses in Burkina Faso where Fulani populations are accused of collusion with armed groups and subjected to arbitrary arrests, summary executions, and massacres. She even uses the term “ethnic cleansing.” Such violence, perpetuated by impunity, fuels terrorist recruitment and undermines social cohesion. The article stresses that many Fulani are themselves victims of terrorism and that conflating an entire community with extremism deepens the cycle of violence. Two studies are recommended: one on mistrust toward Fulani communities in Côte d’Ivoire, and another on cattle rustling in the Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire–Ghana border area. The author calls for moving beyond prejudice in order to preserve peaceful coexistence in West Africa.

Cultural identity, Governance, Pastoralism, Conflict, Counter terrorism, Violence, Communautarism, Insécurité, Impunity, Transhumance

The article by Flore Berger, published by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime in July 2025, examines cattle rustling insecurity in the tri-border region between Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. It shows how cattle theft has evolved into a structured criminal market used by violent armed groups such as JNIM and IS Sahel, state-aligned militias (VDP), bandits, and transnational criminal networks. Between 2022 and 2024, over 3,000 cattle were stolen in that area. Stolen cattle are laundered through regional markets—both formal and informal—and transported to major southern urban centers like Accra, Kumasi, and Abidjan. Local communities suffer: livelihoods are lost, population displacement rises, and trust in the state erodes. The article emphasises the need for cross-border cooperation, enhanced surveillance, harmonised legal frameworks, technology for cattle identification and tracing, and strengthened community resilience to address the problem effectively.

Governance, Pastoralism, Boundary, Security, Conflict, Instabilité, Groupes armés

The Pastoral Surveillance Bulletin for Senegal (No. 41, June–July 2025) highlights late and irregular rains, causing a severe pastoral lean season in the north (Louga, Saint-Louis, Matam). Transhumance flows were intense, with herds moving southward (Kaolack, Kaffrine, Tambacounda) and across borders with Mauritania and Mali. While forage and water resources were more favorable in Casamance and eastern Senegal, overgrazing and pressure on water points increased health risks and tensions. Livestock prices, especially for male cattle (+12%), rose sharply, improving terms of trade for pastoralists but undermining non-herding households’ purchasing power. The bulletin also reports animal diseases, frequent cattle thefts (Louga, Kaffrine, Tambacounda), and localized farmer–herder conflicts. Recommendations emphasize strengthening pastoral infrastructure, ensuring coordinated management of transhumance corridors, reinforcing animal health surveillance, and providing targeted support to vulnerable households.

State, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Food security, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Vulnerability, Transhumance