The article focuses on the severe development challenges faced by eastern Senegal, particularly in the border regions with Mali and Mauritania, where the risk of jihadist contagion is increasingly pressing. Despite the Senegalese government's efforts to enhance security measures in these areas, local leaders emphasize that without significant improvements in infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, poverty and underdevelopment could facilitate the spread of extremist movements.

The story highlights the dire conditions in places like Ballou, a remote region over 700 kilometers from the capital, Dakar, struggling with chronic deficits in essential services and economic opportunities. Leaders like Abdourrahmane Ba, who participated in a development project meeting, illustrate the local calls for urgent infrastructural investments to empower the communities and quell the tides favoring radicalization. This indicates a belief among local actors that development can serve as a frontline defense against rising extremism.

Ultimately, the article underscores the critical intersection of development and security policy in eastern Senegal. It suggests that without addressing the underlying socio-economic issues, purely security-focused approaches may be insufficient to combat the growing jihadist threat. Consequently, an integrated strategy that prioritizes both security and sustainable development is necessary to foster stability in these vulnerable border areas.