This article examines the real impact of United Nations peacekeeping missions on conflict resolution in Sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on liberal institutionalism and conflict transformation theory, the study uses a qualitative, case-based approach relying on secondary data. It evaluates four major missions: MONUC/MONUSCO in the DRC, UNMISS in South Sudan, MINUSMA in Mali, and MINUSCA in the Central African Republic. Findings indicate mixed outcomes: although UN missions contributed to reducing open hostilities, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian aid, they often failed to address root causes of conflict, foster political reconciliation, or establish sustainable peace. Key challenges include ambiguous mandates, limited resources, weak local ownership, and complex political environments. The study concludes that while UN peacekeeping remains essential for stabilisation, its effectiveness is constrained by structural and operational limitations. It recommends clearer mandates, stronger collaboration with the African Union, greater investment in peacebuilding, and enhanced local participation.

Governance, Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, Mediation, Crisis

This study assesses the impact of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and identifies the challenges it faces. Using a descriptive methodology based on secondary data (books, journals, UN documents, online materials), the authors rely on content analysis and institutional theory. Findings show that MINUSMA has contributed to peacebuilding by enabling the return of many internally displaced persons, improving relative stability in northern Mali and reducing civilian casualties. The mission also supported the peace process culminating in the 2015 Peace and Reconciliation Agreement and assisted in organizing the 2013 and 2016 elections. However, MINUSMA is one of Africa’s most expensive peacekeeping missions (approximately USD 600 million annually) and among the deadliest due to high casualty numbers. Major challenges include authority conflicts, task allocation issues, insufficient personnel, logistical constraints and weaknesses in the implementation of peace agreements. The study recommends a full and credible implementation of the current peace agreement.

Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, Stabilisation

This Policy Brief examines Germany’s new budget orientations and their consequences for Mali, a country facing insecurity, conflict, climate shocks, displacement, and rising humanitarian needs. Germany is among Mali’s key financial partners through the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, from 2025 onward, significant budget cuts are expected, sharply reducing German contributions to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). German aid currently supports essential sectors such as nutrition, health, water and sanitation, infrastructure, protection, displacement management, agriculture, and the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) nexus. Reductions in funding could exacerbate vulnerabilities, intensify population movements, and weaken local NGOs, which are central to service delivery and conflict mitigation. The brief offers recommendations to mitigate these impacts, improve coordination, promote aid localization, and strengthen community resilience.

State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Mediation, Gold, Social, Cooperation, Dialogue, Civil Society

This country profile provides a synthesis of 29 studies on Chad, including 27 specifically focused on the country. It highlights four main themes: the State and democratic transition, marked by institutional fragility, power centralization, and the Déby family’s dynastic legacy; economy, justice, and education, stressing the need for structural reforms, the impact of cash transfers, weaknesses in higher education, and challenges of Arabic-Islamic education; gender and caste inequalities, with the persistent marginalization of women and socially discriminated groups; and armed conflicts, detailing Boko Haram’s recruitment strategies, the weaknesses of the Chadian army, humanitarian consequences of ongoing conflicts, and the massive influx of Sudanese refugees. The conclusion points out underexplored issues such as climate change, public health, cultural dynamics, energy, and migration.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Conflict, Education, Gold, Human security

This Policy Brief explores Senegal’s role in mediating the crisis between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger after their withdrawal from ECOWAS. Drawing on its diplomatic tradition and neutrality, Senegal, under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has been appointed as a facilitator. While Senegal officially promotes the AES’s return to ECOWAS, its emissary's statements suggest a more nuanced stance. The brief analyzes issues of regional integration, governance, security cooperation, and sovereignty. It highlights the need for realistic mediation, one that acknowledges the AES states’ security concerns while preserving ECOWAS’s democratic and economic frameworks. The document also emphasizes the regional consequences of the split, including economic fragmentation and weakened security cooperation, urging Senegal to play a strategic and balanced role.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Conflict, Gold, Human security, Diplomacy, Crisis

In this WATHI-published op-ed, El-Ghassim Wane reflects on Africa’s potential contributions to the upcoming 8th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin (May 2025). He highlights the continent’s direct experience with peacekeeping and draws out three core insights: (1) peacekeeping is an effective, sovereignty-enhancing, and life-saving tool; (2) the UN and African Union must further strengthen their complementary roles; (3) peacekeeping embodies multilateralism. Wane advocates for a deeper AU-UN partnership, greater African ownership of peace operations, and a rebalancing between prevention, mediation, and military engagement. He also urges increased investment in structural prevention—especially governance and human rights—by combining the AU’s normative frameworks and the UN’s technical capacities. The Berlin conference represents a critical moment for Africa to assert its voice within the global multilateral system.

Governance, Peace, Conflict, Crisis management, International cooperation

The research report “From “all security” to diplomatic dialogue: should we consider negotiated stability in the Sahel? » by Baba Dakono, published in January 2022 by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), examines the security situation in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. It highlights the ineffectiveness of military responses and the growing interest in negotiations with armed groups. The study highlights that fragile states in the region fail to integrate border zones into their national policies, which favors the rise of extremist groups. Despite international interventions (Barkhane, MINUSMA, G5 Sahel), violence persists and calls for political solutions are growing louder.Local dialogues already exist but remain limited due to a centralized approach. The study recommends a holistic dialogue approach, involving all stakeholders, to achieve lasting peace.

Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Political Violence, Mediation, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Dialogue

The article examines the complex situation in central Mali, where individuals posing as jihadists or traditional hunters (Dozos) exacerbate intercommunal tensions. Jihadists exploit the historical heritage of the Fulani to legitimize their presence, while non-Fulani militias disguise themselves as Dozos to justify actions against the Fulani. This dynamic increases polarization, trapping civilians between these armed groups. Stereotypes and amalgamations contribute to unjustified reprisals, fueling a cycle of violence that further undermines social cohesion and regional stability.

Conflict, Jihad

The article “Pastoralism and Security in West Africa and the Sahel” examines the causes of pastoralism-related conflicts in six countries: Mauritania, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. It highlights the importance of pastoralism in these nations, while noting that the scale and dynamics of conflicts vary across national contexts. State policies and local practices toward different elevations also differ. The study recommends raising awareness of land laws, encouraging land rotation between farmers and herders, increasing investment in the livestock and agriculture sectors, and protecting local vegetation. It emphasizes the need for sustainable and inclusive solutions, both at the national and regional levels, to resolve these conflicts.

Pastoralism, Security, Conflict