Geopolitics
Opinion
Consensual power-sharing as a way out of endless crises
How can we help those seeking a way out of endless chaos? Éric Beugnot (AFD) and Jacques Levard propose consensual power-sharing for a limited duration in exchange for massive and sustainable aid.
Opinion
The ICRC in Mali: going beyond humanitarian aid, to development?
Jean-Nicolas Marti is now serving his second field position in Mali for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Here he talks about the ICRC’s operational doctrine in areas of armed conflict and mentions its development actions, a turning point for this institution.
Opinion
Pastoralism: a crucial factor of stability in the Sahel
The dynamics of livestock markets in West Africa are still poorly understood and rarely studied. Yet, pastoralism is crucial for resilience and economic stability in the Sahel region, as climate specialist Lucie Royer and economist Stéphanie Brunelin explain here.
Opinion
Africa: COVID-19 Exposes the Vulnerability of Urban Food Systems
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of people living in food insecurity in East Africa could increase from 14 million to 23 million. In addition to emergency measures, this crisis has highlighted the need to improve the resilience of food systems, especially in the worst-affected...
Opinion
New conflicts require better coordination among international actors
The new contemporary conflicts facing us are more difficult to resolve. The forms of action taken by international actors coming to the aid of the most fragile societies must be reviewed if we are to boost their impact.
Opinion
From beneficiaries to co-operants: overcoming conflicts of perception in the Sahel
Why try to reinvent the wheel in conflict zones, taking the viewpoint that these areas are frozen in time, when these communities can innovate and find solutions for themselves? Researcher Bakary Sambé (Timbuktu Institute) discusses this issue.
Opinion
COVID-19 is a war… But what kind?
If “we are at war” against COVID-19, then what kind of war is it? In Bertrand Badie’s view, this war is unlike any we have seen before. Its outcome depends on the emergence of solidarity and global governance.
Opinion
United States: How do the Sustainable Development Goals Fit into the Democratic Primary?
The primary for the nomination of the US Democratic presidential candidate offers an opportunity to take a look at the way the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are included in the main candidates’ policies. According to Marie-Cécile Naves, the candidates have mainly expressed their ambitions...
Opinion
Turning the spotlight on crises forgotten by the media is a way of providing aid
A press article cannot equal food, drinking water or medical assistance when it comes to saving lives. But drawing attention to a crisis is also a way of providing humanitarian aid according to Philippe Lévêque from NGO Care France.
Opinion
Complex wars require a change in approach
According to Xavier Lhote, wars between States have given way to violence of social origin. Short-term humanitarian, political and military responses are no longer sufficient in resolving these crises: development stakeholders have an important long-term role to play.
Opinion
Anti-terrorism laws must take humanitarian principles into account
In their desire to protect themselves from the threat of terrorism, governments have adopted drastic measures that could hinder the work of humanitarian organizations. Pierre Micheletti, President of Action Contre la Faim, calls for the urgent revision of these rules
Opinion
Solving the water-land-people equation in the Sahel
Conflict analysis in the Sahel must begin with a simple water-land-people calculation, for geographer Christian Bouquet. More and more people are living with less and less water on shrinking areas of arable land.
Interview
“Inequality is undermining the Sahel region”
Following the latest Oxfam report on inequality in the Sahel, Cécile Duflot explains how inequality is worsening the multidimensional crisis affecting the region. According to her, this calls for a coordinated response involving various stakeholders.
Opinion
Safe and universal access to water and sanitation: a governance challenge
For Julián Suárez Migliozzi, access to water and sanitation is not merely a funding and implementation issue: it is a governance issue. The global community must double its efforts to ensure this fundamental right.
Interview
“The majority of conflicts arise from problems of governance”
Parfait Onanga-Anyanga considers that the challenges of governance and the establishment of States governed by the rule of law, as promoted by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, are a prerequisite for attaining all the other goals.
Opinion
Toward a science for sustainable development
The first Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) critical assessment report will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2019. One of its contributors, Jean-Paul Moatti, explains the three main messages it contains and how science can contribute to sustainable development.
Development news
To what extent do diasporas contribute to development?
Every year, the volume of funds sent by diasporas to low- and middle-income countries increases. Today, it represents over triple the amount of Official Development Assistance. But do these funds really contribute to development?
Interview
“Development is a factor in mobility and migration.”
With tensions over the issue of migration running higher than ever, Catherine Wihtol de Wenden believes the solution does not lie in a security-oriented approach. Making it easier for people to move around would make development fairer for all.
Development news
Reconstruction of Rwanda: “miracle” or mirage?
With its lasting peace and stable growth, Rwanda is the prodigal child of sub-Saharan African development. Yet 25 years ago, the country went through one of the worst genocides in world history. Is the “Rwandan miracle” a mirage?
Opinion
Rapid population growth of the Sahel Region: A Major Challenge for the Next Generation
The demographic growth of the Sahelian region is unprecedented and transforms deeply the societies. This phenomenon must be understood rather than denounced. Explanations with Jean-Marc Pradelle, Sahel adviser at AFD.
Opinion
Corporate governance: how does it affect the value of a company?
Research has consistently shown that strong corporate governance positively affects firm value. This article gives a short introduction into the topic of corporate governance, briefly introduces some pivotal governance components and summarizes the most important research findings.
Interview
When inequality accentuates rural migrations
While exodus affecting most of the rural Mediterranean territories is one of the development drivers, it can also affect the attractivity of these territories. Analysis of Yasmine Seghirate El Guerrab, coordinator of the publication Mediterra 2018.
Interview
“Venezuelans are leaving because of hunger, instability and poverty.”
Tomás Páez, sociologist and professor at the Central University of Venezuela, is coordinator of the Venezuelan Diaspora Observatory. He gives us his analysis of the unprecedented migratory crisis which has been striking Venezuela for over two years.
Opinion
Regional integration: How to measure the commitment of African States?
Regional integration is a key issue for Africa. It is a powerful driver for growth and development, with potential positive impacts on private investment, governance and intra- and extra-community trade.