The article, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies on February 3, 2024, assesses the failure of Mali's promised democratic transition under the military junta that seized power in August 2020. The junta has repeatedly postponed elections and adopted a new constitution that consolidates power in the hands of Colonel Assimi Goïta. Security and economic conditions have worsened, with Islamist violence surging and poverty increasing. The withdrawal from ECOWAS, the G5 Sahel, and MINUSMA has left Mali isolated. Freedoms have shrunk, justice has been obstructed, and Russian mercenaries — implicated in serious human rights abuses — have been brought in. The article argues that the junta has broken its commitments to both citizens and international partners, rendering the concept of a “transition” meaningless.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Election, Gold, Poverty, Human security, Threat, Politique publique, Transition, Services publics

The study “Integrating Mental Health into Crisis Contexts in the Sahel/West Africa” examines the effects of security and humanitarian crises on mental health in Mali, Mauritania, and Chad. It highlights a high prevalence of psychosocial disorders—such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression—driven by armed violence, forced displacement, service breakdowns, and social isolation. Access to care remains limited due to a shortage of qualified personnel, lack of financial resources, and persistent stigma. The report calls for mainstreaming mental health into humanitarian responses and public policies, strengthening community-based support, and producing disaggregated data that is gender- and age-sensitive.

Gender, Natural ressources, Political Violence, Education, Family, Gold, Social, Health, Violence, Threat, Crisis, Santé mentale

On May 27, 2025, WATHI and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation held a roundtable in Dakar to examine Senegal’s economic situation in light of the Senegal 2050 Agenda, following President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s election. A public finance audit revealed a budget deficit of 11.7% of GDP and a central government debt of 105.7%. The Senegal 2050 Plan aims to foster inclusive growth, reduce poverty, decentralize the economy, and strengthen national sovereignty. Discussions highlighted major structural issues: weak tax performance, lack of transparency, and a struggling informal sector. Participants called for fiscal reform, stronger parliamentary oversight, investments in education, and gender-sensitive policies. Economic trust and governance are seen as key. Experts stressed the need for coordinated action among public, private, and civil society stakeholders to achieve sustainable development and inclusive prosperity.

Politics, Political party, State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh

In this video interview published on November 18, 2020, Maleine Amadou Niang, Country Director of the International Budget Partnership (IBP) in Senegal, discusses the situation of people living with disabilities. He highlights the lack of reliable data, citing the 2013 ANSD census which recorded 5.9% of Senegal’s population as disabled. Niang emphasizes public policy shortcomings in inclusion, funding, and accessibility. He advocates for strengthening institutional capacities, improving national statistics, and ensuring effective inclusion of persons with disabilities in budgeting processes. He calls for transparent, participatory governance and notes that using this data will help guide national priorities. The talk underscores the importance of official recognition and a budgeting approach that is sensitive to gender and disability.

Governance, Human Rights, Disability, Inclusion

On June 1, 2025, the Boulikessi military camp in Douentza region (central Mali) was attacked by jihadist groups affiliated with GSIM, resulting in several Malian soldiers killed . The camp is strategically located at a border crossroads with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mauritania, controlling fuel, arms, and ammunition trafficking routes . Since 2011, various armed factions (MNLA, MUJAO, MAA, GATIA, HCUA) have fought to control it, exploiting power vacuums . Reinforced with civilian infrastructure in 2016, it faced further attacks in 2017 and 2019, causing looting and friction with locals . Recaptures of the camp are often followed by terror assaults, undermining regional stability. The article warns that the fall of Boulikessi would expose nearby hubs like Hombori and Mondoro, significantly exacerbating security risks in the area.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Military activity, Trafic

On June 6, 2025, young Togolese protesters mobilized in several cities, notably Lomé, to denounce the enduring regime of Faure Gnassingbé, in power since 2005 and heir of a political dynasty that has ruled Togo for over 50 years. This mobilization reflects a broader pan-African youth uprising, where young people challenge locked, illegitimate, or neo-colonial political systems. The article highlights similar movements elsewhere in Africa: in the Sahel against French military presence, in Kenya against anti-social economic policies, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding government inaction on persistent insecurity. The author, Bah Traoré, examines the “myth of the political and social struggle,” suggesting that these movements represent demands for renewal, democratic alternation, and a desire for sociopolitical transformation through youth-driven popular revolts.

Politics, Governance, Youth, Social, Crisis, Pan-Africanism

In this video interview, Zounon Félix, a research officer at Niger’s National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRAN, Maradi center), explains how his institute relies on its own resources to conduct agricultural experiments. He outlines INRAN’s history, founded in 1975 and gaining public institutional status in 2010, with four regional centers (Niamey, Kollo, Tahoua, Maradi). Although the infrastructure is in good condition, the institute lacks scientific equipment, communications gear, and office supplies. Félix details its five research departments—irrigated and rainfed crops, animal production, natural resource management, and rural social sciences. He emphasizes INRAN’s enhanced autonomy and its ability to maintain programs despite limited external funding, through local engagement and self-financing efforts.

Governance, Agriculture, Knowlege production, Funding, Scientific research

The February–March 2025 Pastoral Monitoring Bulletin, published by Action Against Hunger, highlights key challenges for pastoralism in the Sahel. This transition period between the cold and hot dry seasons is characterized by the drying up of temporary water points and widespread bushfires that have reduced forage availability. Nevertheless, pasture remains generally sufficient. Seasonal transhumance movements are mainly downward, but abnormal or forced movements linked to insecurity are also reported. The body condition of livestock ranges from fair to satisfactory, although suspected disease outbreaks are noted. Cereal and livestock prices are mostly rising, but terms of trade remain unfavorable for herders in many areas. Livestock theft, limited market access, and the arrival of refugees are further complicating conditions in certain regions.

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

The pastoral monitoring bulletin for February–March 2025, published by ACF, VSF-B, RBM, and RECOPA, assesses the pastoral situation in Burkina Faso. This period marks the transition between the cold and hot dry seasons, with widespread drying of temporary water points and declining natural pastures, worsened by bushfires. Transhumance movements, especially toward the south, are disrupted due to ongoing insecurity, closure of pastoral corridors, and tensions with crop farmers. The body condition of livestock is fair overall, although some animal diseases have been reported. Market access remains limited in several areas, with rising food prices and deteriorating terms of trade. The security context continues to restrict movement, while the presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) adds further pressure on already strained resources.

State, Pastoralism, Boundary, Livestock, Natural ressources, Security, Education, Development, Gold, Human security, Marché, Transhumance