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Since the commercial release of Bt cotton, the issue of the purity of the seeds used by producers has been little addressed, further less in relation to the analysis of the seed production and distribution system in the country concerned. This paper examines the case ofBurkina Faso in 2015, a country where transgenic cottonwith two Bt genes was planted alongside conventional cotton until its suspension decided the same year. According to the thresholds for the presence of Bt genes retained in the study to declare the conventional or transgenic nature of the sampled plots, only 29.3%of the plots assumed to be conventionalwere indeed conventional, compared to 92.6% of the supposedly transgenic plotswhich were indeedtransgenic.However, amongtransgenic plots, only40%met the threshold for containing both of the Bt cotton genes that would have been expected if they had been planted with pure Bollgard II seeds. Some of these purity defects may be explained by examining the system of seed production and distribution. In addition, if one considers the chronology of events up to the delivery of the transgenic seeds byMonsanto, these seeds couldnot systematically containthetwoBt genes.Such an initial defect wasmaintained or even accentuated afterwards. It hampered the efficacy ofBt cotton fromthe outset and,worse, the sustainability of its use by facilitating the selection of pests resistant to each of the two genes used, or even to both simultaneously. The case study underlines how important it is, in view of an efficient and sustainable use of transgenic seeds, to produce and preserve seed purity. It also reveals, regardless of the use of transgenic seeds, the need to adjust the internalized scheme of cotton seed production in francophone Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides new insights into the vegetation of the black continent (Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Gabon, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso). It particularly explores the relationship between Africans and trees through the prism of colonization. The regions studied have suffered successive waves of occupation. Each newcomer had a specific relationship with the tree. Today, the result is an unstable balance between the environmental constraints that shape the background of the plant capital, the needs and means of the populations, all guided by cultural habits and pre-colonial and colonial heritage. These inheritances, which are diametrically opposed, are under tension in African societies, with the public administration acting as moderator. With little financial and human resources, it tries to preserve the wooded heritage, especially since we now know it is important in times of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the early stages of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa (White Sisters), from the point of view of women. From a feminist and gender studies perspective, this study illustrates how socio-ecclesial roles assigned to women give them (or not) a peculiar character, in the context of the foundation of a missionary institute. The relations of these women with their founder, as well as with the White Fathers, who also bear the weight of socio-ecclesial roles imposed on them as men, are analysed. Concepts of authority and obedience are considered as well as the effects of the shock from the missionary experience itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the enormous victory that has been recorded in decreasing significantly HIV-TB related mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa, enormous challenges continue to obstruct proper and enviable control of these conditions. These range from prioritization, ethics, funding, drug resistance and research gaps. Resistance to these diseases could constitute key treatment and prevention challenges to health care systems and the international community if not handled appropriately and promptly. This paper presents key shortcomings of the current funding, management and research policies and highlights possible action areas to remedy this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]