HIGHLIGHT:  Book Launch: Leonardo A. Villalòn, editor: The Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel (Oxford University by Press, 2021)

This major publication giving edifying insights in current political, social, cultural and economic situations in the African Sahel was presented to the public by contributors to the essay but also other specialists of west african affairs. The panel, presided over by Professor Aly Mbaye, a contributor and also Rector of University Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD), grouped Professor Leonardo Villalòn, political science at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Dr Mamadou Bodian, another contributor and researcher attached to IFAN-UCAD and Dr Gilles Yabi, director of the Wathi Think Tank.

Current developments in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso were discussed but the panelists also insisted on reminding attendees of the complexities of developments presently taking place in the Sahel: issues relating to borders (defined during the colonial times and hard to control), political instability, ethnic cohesion and divides, environmental concerns, water management, arm trafficking, jihadist groups, inter-religious relations and tensions etc…..

The book obviously stands as a major contribution to the scholarly understanding of developments in the Sahel.

The event was attended physically and on-line by 41 people and ended with the signing of copies by Professor Villalòn who donated a copy of the Oxford Handbook of the African Sahel and a copy of another publication: Democratic Struggle, Institutional Reform and State Resilience in the African Sahel (edited by Leonardo A. Villalòn and Rahmane Idrissa) to the WARC library.