Expert, professor, and writer, Dr. Charles Salvaudon advocates for a new understanding of geopolitics. A more humane, cross-cutting, and especially closer to daily life geopolitics. Through his work “Geopolitics, this force that inhabits us,” published by Editions l’Harmattan, he invites everyone to understand the world in order to better evolve within it.
During his visit to Abidjan, at the initiative of Michelle Beugré from the Chen African Institute of Business Management (Ciage), Dr. Charles Salvaudon exchanged with a public composed of administrators, actors from both the public and private sectors, as well as students, on contemporary geopolitical issues and their implications for African and global economies on the evening of Friday, April 24, 2026, in Le Plateau.
The discussions were marked by their quality, analytical depth, and grounding in current strategic realities. This was followed by a book signing session.
A Geopolitics Centered on the Individual
Dr. Charles Salvaudon, an expert in geopolitics, needs to be clarified, is a professor and author of four works. His first two books, “Geopolitics, this force that disrupts everything” and “Geopolitics, this force that inhabits us,” lay the groundwork for his reflection. A new geopolitics of the 21st century that places the individual at its core.
His approach is clear. It is not geopolitics that shapes the individual, but the individual that shapes geopolitics. A vision that breaks away from analyses solely focused on states, conflicts, or wars.
Understanding the World on a Daily Basis
For Dr. Charles Salvaudon, geopolitics is neither abstract nor reserved for experts. “We all engage in geopolitics every day,” he argued.
For him, having a coffee in the morning, filling up on gas, using a smartphone, each of these actions is linked to global energy, economic, or technological issues. Geopolitics, according to him, is a tool for understanding our environment, much more than just a field of analysis for international crises.
From Vertical to Cross-Cutting
The author’s reflection is part of a major evolution in the discipline. After a so-called “vertical” geopolitics, inherited notably from the work of Yves Lacoste, explained by him, we are now entering a cross-cutting geopolitics.
This new approach, according to the author, integrates the major contemporary challenges. Namely, energy transition, migratory flows, climate change, and especially new technologies. These are global issues that require cooperation, dialogue, and collective responsibility,” the author mentioned.
Africa, an Actor of the 21st Century
Among the chapters of “Geopolitics, this force that inhabits us,” Africa holds a central place. Dr. Charles Salvaudon sees it as a strategic continent for the future. “By 2050, Africa will have nearly 2.5 billion inhabitants, 60% of whom will be under 25 years old. To this demographic dynamic, there are added a clear geographical position and rare resources which make the continent a major player in global geopolitics,” he explained.
An Accessible Work for All
The book consists of around 200 pages and more than 15 chapters, designed to be read in any order. The style is intentionally clear and pedagogical. A deliberate choice according to the author.
For him, geopolitics should not be intimidating. The term comes from the Greek “geopolitikis,” which simply means “understanding the world.” An objective shared by all, citizens as well as decision-makers.
Michelle Beugré praised this meeting as contributing to the dissemination of knowledge, strengthening leadership, and training the future generations of African decision-makers.
(Photo Caption: The author’s work is a pedagogy – Photo by Bavane)
