Background Previous analytical work, defining the distribution of meningitis epidemics in Africa is over 20 years old, with climate change representing an ongoing issue. We aim to update this analysis and determine if the meningitis belt geography and associated environmental risk factors have changed in the last two decades. Methods Epidemic bacterial meningitis data from 2003–2022 were provided by WHO-AFRO. Districts across Africa were coded 1 if they experienced a meningitis outbreak and 0 if not. Monthly means of windspeed, rainfall, dust, and humidity were processed into climatic profiles using k-means clustering. We undertook logistic regression with meningitis epidemic history as the dependent variable and k-means clusters of rainfall, dust, humidity, and windspeed, alongside land-cover type as independent variables. A sensitivity analysis was conducted, excluding the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to limited laboratory confirmation of cases. Results Rainfall, dust, windspeed and humidity demonstrated the strongest statistical association with outbreaks and were included in our final model. With a probability cut-off >0.4, our model had specificity and sensitivity of 82.07% and 82.22%, respectively, in identifying districts having experienced a meningitis epidemic. The Sahelian region had the highest risk of meningitis outbreaks (probability >0.8), consistent with previous findings. The inclusion/exclusion of the DRC had a significant impact on our model. In the full model the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Angola had a moderate risk of meningitis (probability >0.4), suggesting a possible expansion of the belt. However, when the DRC was excluded, no countries surrounding the meningitis belt were at risk for outbreaks, highlighting the importance of laboratory testing and case confirmation. Conclusions The apparent extension of risk beyond the belt possibly reflects surveillance limitations rather than alterations in disease ecology. Where possible, laboratory confirmation should be used to support surveillance of suspected meningitis outbreaks and cases.

This study analyzes China’s military exports and security involvement in the Sahel region, with a main focus on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso between 2010 and 2024. Relying on the SIPRI and ACLED databases, the article discusses correlations between Chinese arms transfers and incidents of political violence and instability, and also applies country and year fixed effects panel models. In descriptive terms, Chinese arms exports strengthen military capabilities and move together with the rise in conflict events and fatalities; however, once Russian and French deliveries, the 2017 activation of the G5 Sahel force, and the country-specific Wagner deployments are controlled for, none of the ln TIV coefficients are statistically significant. In other words, larger volumes of arms transfers do not, by themselves, drive conflict intensity. Furthermore, the research highlights the multidimensional geopolitical competition involving other international actors such as the United States, Russia, Turkey, Iran, and India, and presents the diverse local political and civil society reactions that complicate decision-making. The study concludes with concrete policy recommendations aimed at improving transparency, governmental oversight, and international coordination in order to reduce the unintended negative consequences of foreign military assistance in the region.

Declining soil fertility remains a major constraint for farmers in the semi-arid Sahelian regions. This study assessed the effects of increasing rates of compost combined with zaï pits on the productivity of the cowpea variety “Komecallé” (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) and on soil fertility. Soil samples and agronomic parameters were collected using a completely randomized block design with four treatments replicated four times in Pabré, Burkina Faso: T0 = Zaï only; T1 = Zaï + 1 t ha⁻¹ of compost; T2 = Zaï + 2 t ha⁻¹; and T3 = Zaï + 3 t ha⁻¹. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD test at the 5% significance level were applied. Results revealed that mineral nitrogen increased by 18,9%, 23,9%, and 22,1%; available phosphorus by 21,3%, 44,7%, and 23,6%; and available potassium by 21,7%, 18,2%, and 22,6% under T3, T2, and T1 respectively. Haulm yields increased significantly by 65% under T3, while grain yields increased by 82% under T2. The treatment T2 (2 t ha⁻¹ compost) proved to be the most effective option for enhancing both productivity and soil fertility. The valorization of local substrates could contribute in soil fertility and cowpea production policies in semi-arid regions and reduce fertilizers cost for farmers.

Genetic characterization on quantitative traits of four Poaceae species seeds in the Sahel savanna ecology of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Aim Understanding the distribution and genetic structure of African mammals is key to reconstructing the continent's evolutionary history. While some parts of the continent (e.g., lowlands, mountain forests or savannah biomes) are now relatively well‐studied, arid regions remain underexplored despite offering unique insights into adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. This study aimed to reconstruct phylogeographic patterns and past‐to‐future distributional dynamics of two gerbil genera— Pachyuromys and Desmodilliscus . Location North Africa, including the Sahara Desert and the Sahel. Taxon Two gerbil species from two sister monotypic genera: Pachyuromys duprasi Lataste, 1880 (Northern Sahara) and Desmodilliscus braueri von Wettstein, 1916 (Sahel region). Methods Using the most comprehensive available dataset, we examined mitochondrial markers ( CYTB and COI ) and built ecological niche models across past (Last Glacial Maximum, Mid‐Holocene), present and future climate scenarios to investigate genetic structure and potential distributional shifts of both species. Results Desmodilliscus braueri exhibits a marked East–West phylogeographic structure, influenced by barriers such as the Niger River and Paleolake Chad. In contrast, Pachyuromys duprasi has genetically divergent populations in Egypt (which may be affected by a sampling gap in central‐northern Sahara), but no broader spatial structure in its regions. Niche models suggest range contractions and expansions linked to climatic oscillations for both species. The predicted distribution of Pachyuromys reflects distribution area pulses, aligning with pulses in the extent of the Sahara. Main Conclusions Our findings emphasise the evolutionary significance of arid zones and the need for further research on species' responses to desertification and climate‐driven range shifts. The contrasting patterns between the two species underscore different evolutionary trajectories in different taxa living in arid and semi‐arid environments.

Numerical simulations of a heavy rainfall event in the Sahelian region of Zinder in Niger

Over the past twenty years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), widely known as drones, have become a critical innovation in global security. In Africa, more than 20 countries have adopted UAV technology within the last five years, with notable developments in North Africa, West Africa, and increasingly in the Sahel region, especially amid the ongoing conflict in Sudan. This research examined the deployment of drone technology and its broader impact within Sudan’s conflict from 2023 to 2025. Using a qualitative case study framework and thematic analysis, the study offers a nuanced understanding of how drone operations have reshaped warfare, affected civilian protection, and reconfigured power relations. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with key informants (n=5), including security experts, a policy analyst, a humanitarian officer, and an academic researcher, complemented by online media coverage and specialized sources. Findings reveal paradoxical outcomes: while drones have enabled tactical disruption, enhanced surveillance, and precision strikes, particularly via loitering munitions and foreign-supplied UAVs, they have also contributed to civilian casualties, eroded trust, and intensified ethical scrutiny. In Sudan, drone technologies are not merely tools of military efficiency but instruments that recalibrate battlefield asymmetries and challenge aerial sovereignty in a fragmented security landscape. The study recommends multi-level reforms, including national oversight protocols, regional ethical frameworks, and international tracking mechanisms to regulate drone transfers, safeguard civilian zones, and build technopolitical literacy within Sudan’s transitional governance.

Abstract Smallholder farming systems in the Sahel face severe vegetation loss and declining soil fertility, which threatens food security and livelihoods. While native shrubs and trees have traditionally been used as mulch, some exotic species have recently gained attention due to their faster decomposition rates and potential to increase crop productivity. Therefore, identifying optimal combinations of mulch species and fertilizer inputs is essential for developing low-cost, sustainable soil fertility strategies suited to Sahelian conditions. A two-year field study (2023–2025) at the Farako Agricultural Research Station in Mali compared the decomposition rates and effects on maize productivity of two exotic species ( Gliricidia sepium , Leucaena leucocephala ) and three local species ( Parkia biglobosa , Vitellaria paradoxa , Guiera senegalensis ). Decomposition was modeled using an exponential regression to estimate 50% and 100% decomposition. Maize grain yield and dry matter responses were assessed under pruning applications with or without mineral fertilizer. The results showed that Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium significantly improved maize productivity, achieving yields comparable to or greater than those with full mineral fertilization applied alone or with half the recommended fertilizer rate. In contrast, Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa reduced maize yields compared to the control. These findings demonstrate the strong potential of Leucaena leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium to enhance productivity while reducing fertilizer dependence. Future research should investigate the long-term impacts of these species on soil restoration and evaluate the potential of slower-decomposing local species such as Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum across diverse agroecological zones in partnership with smallholder farmers.

In recent years, Central African and Sahelian countries have faced an increasingly complex convergence of health, environmental, and social challenges. Climate variability, fragile health systems, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and limited diagnostic and research capacities demand integrated, context-specific responses. The One Health approach – recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health – offers a robust conceptual and operational framework to address these challenges. The articles presented in this issue of the Sahelian Journal of Responsible One Health provide timely and compelling evidence of how One Health principles can be translated into research, practice, and policy across the Central Sahel.

The Sahel region, stretching from Senegal to Sudan, is caught in a spiral of chronic poverty, ethnic and religious tensions, and pervasive armed violence, despite its vast reserves of oil, gold, uranium, and other natural resources. The interests of Western states and multinational corporations in these resources intersect with local dynamics, helping to sustain conflict. This study aims to analyse, within a theoretical framework, how climate change, rapid population growth, rural–urban inequalities, failed state structures and governance crises generate instability in the Sahel. It employs a qualitative approach based on recent academic literature, reports of international organisations and policy documents. Findings indicate that oil, gold and uranium revenues in peripheral areas beyond effective state control finance jihadist organisations and local militias. Western actors’ exploitative interventions further entrench this chaotic environment. Violence and humanitarian crises in the Sahel undermine the stability of neighbouring countries, fuelling irregular migration and terrorism. In conclusion, it is argued that poverty and conflict in the region are driven less by internal dynamics than by the interest-driven manipulation of external actors, and that comprehensive, security-and-development-oriented support from the UN and AU is urgently needed.

This study investigates the spatial correlation between youth unemployment and terrorist activity at the sub-national level across East Africa and the Sahel region over the period 2015–2022. While a general link between economic deprivation and conflict is often hypothesized, this research provides a fine-grained empirical test of the relationship using high-resolution geo-coded data. The researcher combines small area estimates of youth unemployment from the International Labour Organization (ILO) with data on terrorist incidents from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). Nighttime light data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) serve as a proxy for local economic activity, thereby strengthening the robustness of our economic measures. Using spatial econometric techniques, including Global and Local Moran’s I for hotspot identification and Spatial Lag Regression Models to quantify spatial dependence, the study reveals significant spatial clustering of both youth unemployment and terrorist incidents. The spatial regression results indicate a statistically significant and positive association between areas of high youth unemployment and the frequency of terrorist attacks, even after controlling for general economic activity. The findings underscore the importance of targeted youth employment initiatives and localized economic development policies in regions identified as high-unemployment and conflict-prone areas. By integrating high-resolution labour, conflict, and remote-sensing data, this study contributes to the spatial conflict literature by providing one of the most comprehensive empirical assessments of the geography of economic exclusion and terrorism in Africa

ECOWAS, West African Regionalism, and the Resurgence of Coup D’état in the Sahel Region: A Prognosis of Mali and Burkina Faso

This research investigates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be harnessed to address democratic governance deficit and promote development in the Sahel region. The study was carried out through review of secondary data, as well as semi-structured interview of tech professionals. It argues that structural barriers limit citizens’ involvement, leading to deficit in democratic governance The Modernisation Theory of Development, Democratic Peace Theory and Resource Curse Theory were explored to understand the research. The study found that the complex nature of governance which is based on policy-making and political decisions triggers reactions to some societal pressure that impacts the economy, society and environment. The adoption of Artificial Intelligence in democratic governance may vary in developed, developing and emerging countries due to different technological levels. The study recommended a comprehensive understanding of Artificial Intelligence with regulations to ensure the risks associated with the technology are prevented.

Abstract. The Sahel region is characterized by its semi-arid climate and open-canopy agroforestry systems, which play an important role in global carbon dynamics. Parkland agroforestry has the potential to sequester carbon at an average rate of 0.4 tC ha−1 yr−1, which, if expanded to its maximum potential extent, would correspond to an additional carbon stock of approximately 558 TgC compared to treeless croplands. However, land surface models (LSM) used in global climate modeling struggle to represent carbon dynamics in these ecosystems due to the inadequate representation of deep-roots tapping groundwater during dry periods, key environmental control for many agroforestry systems such as the widespread parklands based on the phreatophytic species Faidherbia albida. This study explores the sensitivity of Faidherbia albida parklands to tree density and water availability (rainfall and soil water content in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table) using a new configuration of the ORCHIDEE LSM. To this aim, the ORCHIDEE LSM was modified to simulate the growth of Faidherbia albida by simulating its inverted phenology based on forced temporal series of soil water content of soil layers between 4 and 5 m and water saturation below 5 m and by adjusting the photosynthesis and carbon allocation parameters for Faidherbia albida and associated crops. The model was evaluated against independent eddy covariance and meteorological data from the Niakhar agroforestry site in Senegal. Simulation outputs were analyzed in terms of leaf area index (LAI), gross primary productivity (GPP), latent heat (LE), sensible heat (H) and net radiation (Rn). The model simulated tree GPP of 4.08 ± 0.21 tC ha−1 yr−1 compared to observed GPP of 5.06 ± 0.49 tC ha−1 yr−1. For croplands, the model produced GPP of 7.97 ± 0.89 tC ha−1 yr−1 compared to observed values of 7.78 ± 1.75 tC ha−1 yr−1. Simulations revealed that tree density positively influenced annual carbon uptake but reduced crop harvest at highest tree densities, indicating a trade-off between carbon sequestration and crop yield. Sensitivity analyses showed that interannual variability in soil water content in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table and rainfall influenced differently crop, tree and ecosystem carbon and energy fluxes. Despite its strengths, the model exhibited limited responsiveness of tree productivity to soil water content variability in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table, highlighting the need for enhanced representation of water uptake by tree roots in the model. These findings emphasize the importance of accurately modeling both surface soil water and groundwater dynamics and phenology to predict the responses of semi-arid agroforestry systems to climate variability. This study enhances our understanding of carbon and energy flux partitioning in complex, water-stressed and groundwater dependent agroforestry systems.

Abstract Monsoons, in spite of being parts of the global-scale Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), have well-defined regional characteristics. The Indian summer monsoon and the Sahelian summer monsoon are two important components of this global monsoon system that show substantial interannual variations impacting the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people. Thus, knowledge of how these systems coevolve and interact would help understand and predict them better. Here, using a century-long raingauge-based rainfall data set, we show that interannual co-variability between the Indian monsoon rainfall (IMR) and Sahelian monsoon rainfall (SMR) has increased in the recent decades (1985-2020; r=0.58) as compared to the past decades (1950-1984; r=0.33). We show that intraseasonal waves generated over central India propagate westward and reach West Africa about a couple of weeks later, triggering moist convection over the Sahel. The African Easterly Jet (AEJ), which peaks in the mid-troposphere, plays a crucial role in this wave propagation. A strong AEJ in recent decades, driven by the increased meridional gradient of tropospheric temperature, helps propagate the intraseasonal waves from the Indian to the Sahelian region. Further, an increase in the total column water vapor during the active phases of the Madden-Julian Oscillation over Africa and the Indian Ocean facilitates such propagation. Our results have important implications for understanding interannual variations of the Indian and Sahelian monsoons and should help interpret seasonal and intraseasonal predictions by numerical models.

Industrial production systems in the Sahelian region of sub-Saharan Africa and the Central African sub-region face numerous challenges, including the lack of control over customer satisfaction levels and the instability and variability of operational quality control processes. This often leads to consumer dissatisfaction and an insufficient product conformity rate. To address this issue, we propose a methodology aimed at reducing variability and improving the operational quality control process of industrial production systems. This methodology combines the use of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) tools, Bayesian Networks (BNs), and multilinear regression analysis. Our combined approach consists of six stages. To implement this combined approach, we selected a tissue production system from the SITRACEL industrial company based in Cameroon. This implementation revealed an insufficient conformity rate of 3.727o, customer dissatisfaction of 16.25% compared to benchmarks, dominant quality defect causes directly related to the machine, and modeled quality control indicators to track variability in scrap and waste rates.

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health threat. In food-producing animals, antibiotic overuse and misuse play a key role in its emergence and transmission to humans. This study examined antibiotic use patterns among ruminant (cattle, sheep, goats) and poultry (chickens, turkeys) farmers in Tunisia, explored drivers of their decisions, and assessed awareness of AMR risks. A structured, anonymous 12-item questionnaire was administered face-to-face by 11 veterinarians to 110 farmers in Sousse, Mahdia, and Monastir (Sahel region). Data were analyzed statistically. Results showed that 90% of farmers lacked a livestock register, and 92.7% practiced self-medication without veterinary prescriptions. Digestive diseases (88.2%) were the most treated, followed by foot (60%), mammary (60%), and respiratory diseases (41.8%). Self-medication was significantly associated with treatment cost (p = 0.005) and over-the-counter antibiotic access (p = 0.016). Misuse was frequent: 62.7% did not complete treatment, 82.7% stopped once symptoms resolved, and 61.8% ignored withdrawal periods. Overall, 94.5% were unaware of AMR risks, and only 5.5% had received training in good husbandry practices. These findings underscore the urgent need for farmer education, strengthened veterinary oversight, and promotion of prudent antibiotic use to mitigate AMR risks and safeguard animal and public health in Tunisia.

ABSTRACT Access to safe sanitation and wastewater reuse in rural Sub-Saharan Africa remains a critical challenge, impacting both public health and socio-economic development. This study presents the implementation of a decentralized treatment system using constructed wetlands with Typha and Vetiver plants for wastewater treatment and irrigation reuse at Ndiebene Gandiol School in Senegal. The treatment system comprises a septic tank followed by two horizontal subsurface flow wetlands. Over ten months of monitoring, the system demonstrated high pollutant removal efficiency, achieving over 90% reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), and Suspended Solids (SS). Additionally, fecal coliform levels were reduced to below 200 CFU/100 mL, and helminth eggs were completely eliminated. The treated effluent meets World Health Organization guidelines for restricted irrigation, ensuring safe and sustainable water reuse. The project emphasizes the use of locally sourced materials and strong community engagement, promoting long-term operational sustainability in resource-limited settings. Beyond improving sanitation, it enhances school environments by creating green spaces and supporting sustainable water management practices. This initiative provides a scalable and cost-effective model for decentralized sanitation, with significant potential for replication in other rural schools across the Sahel region.

This study examines the intersection of security and development in the Sahel region of Africa and their impact on human security. Through critical analysis, the study concludes that despite the Sahel's uniqueness as one of the richest regions in natural resources and human potential, it remains one of the most violent and conflict-prone areas. This can largely be attributed to political instability, security vulnerabilities, and the widespread occurrence of security threats. These factors have significantly hindered development in the region, which is considered highly fragile. The study emphasizes that human security goes beyond military protection to include food, water, and social security, making development a crucial element in promoting stability. It also highlights that the lack of sustainable development exacerbates security threats, while developmental gaps contribute to conflicts and worsening humanitarian conditions. The study further concludes that achieving human security in the Sahel requires a comprehensive strategies focused implementing effective policies; strengthening national states; engaging all stakeholders in the development process; enhancing regional and international cooperation.

Against the backdrop of rising anti-French sentiments in the Sahel region, debates have intensified within both Russian and foreign scholars regarding the reasons for the apparent crisis, if not the failure, of the Fifth Republic’s African policy. At the same time, these discussions tend to ignore the concept of theso-called ‘security-development nexus’, which, meanwhile, was one of the key determinants shaping France’s approaches to the Sahel countries. An examination of the French experts’ understanding of this construct is particularly interesting because it reveals the specifics and principles of the conceptual-theoretical framework underlying France’s foreign policy toward African countries in general. The first section assesses the French public administration system on the African track and describes the institutional organization of national expertise on security and development issues in Africa, including identifying the affiliations of its most prominent representatives. The author notes that these think tanks and individual researchers are subject to French state authorities’ significant influence or even direct patronage. The second section examines the complex process of the adaptation of French research circles to the securitization of the international development agenda in the 2000s, as they were initially highly skeptical toward the discourse on ‘fragile’ states and the ‘nexus’ concept, borne of the Anglo-Saxon political thought. The third section analyzes the internalization and instrumentalization of the ‘nexus’ in France’s African policy and in French academic discourse against the backdrop of the escalating crisis in the Sahel region in the 2010s. The author emphasizes that the expert debates related to this process focused on solving two tasks: identifying the internal and external causes of the Sahel crisis and formulating practical recommendations for the French government on how to resolve it. The fourth section considers how French experts assess the outcomes of France’s military presence in the Sahel. In conclusion, the author argues that the crisis of the ‘Françafrique’ policy was caused by both objective reasons ‘on the ground’ (the lack of a coherent exit strategy from armed conflicts, the predominance of security considerations over the development agenda) and by hampered feedback between the state and expert circles.