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This paper analyses the rationale behind the Chadian military intervention in Mali in 2013, which Chad is not a neighboring country, and whereas Chad is not an Ecowas member. We argue that the official reason – preventing Islamist rise into the Sahel – is a secondary one. This Chadian armed intervention takes place in a long soldiering history influenced by a tied but ambiguous relationship with France. It makes possible both to renew a diplomatic rent very useful in a regional disrupt context, to show the regional leadership of the new Chadian petro-State, and to reinforce a regime which stays vulnerable. However, this military adventure could jeopardy the recent efforts to build a more developmental State in Chad.

On Thursday the 20th april 2010, the blowout of the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform operated by BP in the Gulf of Mexico starts what can be considered one of the major oil spills in the world history. Taking place in the national waters of the world’s first oil consumer and affecting one of the more advanced oil major in Corporate Social Responsibility, this accident may turn out to be a land mark for environmental management in the sector. International Oil Companies are pushing the (technical/managerial) borders to stay in business in modern world (with the State Oil Companies doing the easy oil left) and provide us the oil we are addicted to. The exploration of oil and gas in Deepwaters or extreme environments brings along new and increased risks. The BP accident shows that a small risk is never zero: there should have been a trustworthy plan B, but there was none. Also, we realize that we do not understand a lot of the behaviour and potential impacts of oil in (deeper) water as long as it does not surface or ends up on the beach. However, it is more and more recognised that this major Deepwater accident will have strong and long lasting pelagic effects. This event will likely change the game worldwide concerning environmental precautions for oil and gas in sensitive circumstances. We give a brief insight of these issues in Africa, particularly in Mauritania, where similarly ambitious off shore operations are being implemented in an area with high economic and nature values and ecological sensitivities. But as these precautions will make the oil more expensive, it could also contribute to speed the transition to a more sustainable world energetic matrix.

Since 1965 crises have followed one another in Chad, until the very last episode of February 2008. This paper offers a geographic approach of this last crisis and underlines the importance of the physical setting in the causes and mechanisms of the conflict. Such an approach questions the evolving links between state and societies and between their territories and resources. Internal and external geopolitical dimensions are key factors for a better understanding of the conflict. The vicious circle of rebellion and repression that plagues Chad now needs to be broken. In order to achieve the country's necessary national (re)construction, the state ought, first and foremost, to define a new role for itself if not to reinvent itself altogether. It is only through this (re)construction that the state will find its much needed new legitimacy.

The large victory of the going out president A. Wade at the first round of the Senegalese presidential elections of February 25th 2007 has surprised : the electoral geography only leaves few pockets to the opposition. Some economic and political difficulties fed the dissatisfaction of the people. But the opposition inefficiency, the President cleverness, some favourable climate elements and the worries about the "after Wade" at last brought a lot of Senegaleses to choose the sopi (change) by continuity.

The low consumption of energy is a cause and a symptom of Africa underdevelopment. The fuel shortage which threatens the world seems to induce two different paths. The oil-producing countries have to avoid the traps of the "commodities curse"; they have to use the oil incomes to strengthen both their State and their economy. The other countries have to think of the after oil. Everywhere innovations have to be sought so that economy be no more an hindrance, but a development catalyst.