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This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the election of Romuald Wadagni as president of Benin on 12 April 2026 provides a strategic opportunity to reset diplomatic relations with Niger and reduce regional tensions. The authors suggest that the African Union (AU), specifically through the AU Mission for Mali and the Sahel, is best positioned to facilitate this dialogue to address security and economic liabilities resulting from the current impasse.

This report analyzes the intersection of artisanal and small-scale gold mining, illicit financial flows, and conflict in the border regions of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, providing policy recommendations to strengthen governance and reduce crime.

This 2012 technical report by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a baseline assessment of livelihood strategies in the Nariarlé watershed of the Volta River Basin in Burkina Faso. Based on community fieldwork conducted in June 2010 across four villages, the report details the practices, yields, and constraints of four primary groups: rainfed farmers, irrigated gardeners, pastoralists, and fishers.

This policy brief examines Agricultural Water Management (AWM) interventions in the Nariarlé watershed of Burkina Faso to alleviate food insecurity and poverty. It evaluates various scenarios—including improved rainfed agriculture, expanded irrigation, and increased reservoir storage—analyzing their impacts on crop yields, water resources, and local livelihoods. The document emphasizes that while AWMs can significantly increase production, their sustainability depends on strengthening the existing, largely informal, institutional networks and coordinating activities across the watershed.

This document contains the proceedings of a two-day workshop held in August 2009 by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and EcoSanRes. The workshop focused on the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks required to promote the sustainable reuse of nutrients from wastewater, human excreta, and greywater across various global regions.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the economic, social, and political barriers preventing the adoption of clean cooking fuels in sub-Saharan Africa. It contrasts traditional biomass fuels with modern alternatives like LPG, ethanol, and biogas, highlighting how high capital costs, underdeveloped infrastructure, and socio-cultural norms sustain dependence on inefficient fuels. The authors propose a policy framework involving national bureaus, targeted subsidies, and community-led design to facilitate a transition to cleaner energy.

This October 2015 report from the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN), focusing on peacekeeping funding, counter-terrorism efforts, and specific crises in South Sudan, Mali, and Somalia. It also analyzes the risks associated with a series of upcoming elections across the African continent.