West Africa faces political transitions and security volatility

West Africa is currently navigating complex political transitions, security volatility, and economic pressures. In Guinea, transitional president Mamadi Doumbouya has called for national reflection on the five-year anniversary of the 2021 coup, as the country focuses on the timeline for returning to constitutional order.

In Senegal, the government is managing structural budget choices and fiscal adjustments recommended by the IMF regarding public debt and spending. Meanwhile, in the Sahel, diplomatic tensions persist between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and former partner powers, specifically regarding accusations of foreign interference from Niamey.

Security remains a critical concern in the Lake Chad Basin and the central Sahel, where the UN and regional governments have warned of the human impact caused by terrorist attacks and military confrontations. Economically, the region faces rising inflation and fuel costs, impacting household purchasing power in cities such as Dakar, Bamako, and Niamey.