Islamist violence in the Sahel is not uniform—there are simultaneously areas of expansion, plateau, and modest reduction. We examine these divergent trends to better understand the focal points, actors, and objectives of the different groups driving the violence.

Militaries can launch operations in days with forces that are already trained, equipped, and supplied. But civilian actors typically require longer notice to build capacity and infrastructure and train staff, particularly if they also must obtain funding and supplies.

Japanese finance in Africa is nearly always disbursed, managed, and accounted for on a blended finance basis. This has allowed African countries to avoid becoming saddled with odious debt—and is one of the reasons Japan is trusted and respected in Africa. africacenter.org/spo...

Stabilization strategies linked to overall aims need to focus on realistic tactical objectives within available resources, and address all phases of stabilization (clear and hold, early recovery, and consolidation). See our Spotlight for more lessons and recommendations:

Islamist violence in the Sahel is not uniform, there are simultaneously areas of expansion, plateau, and modest reduction. Our Spotlight examines these trends to better understand the varying focal points, actors, and objectives of the groups driving the violence.

Les acteurs russes ont joué un rôle de premier plan en alimentant et en amplifiant de faux récits autour de la junte burkinabè. La junte, à son tour, a été l’un des plus ardents défenseurs de la présence sécuritaire croissante de Moscou en Afrique. 1/2

Military and civilian stabilization actors often have different ideas of what is "secure". Military tolerance for risk is higher, but civil administration requires reducing insecurity to a level that fosters civilian life and the provision of basic services.

By attacking transportation arteries, fuel tankers, and population centers in western Mali, the JNIM coalition is targeting the economic, security, and political vulnerabilities of the military junta in Bamako. africacenter.org/spo...

At present, more than 21 African countries have established space programs and 18 have launched at least one satellite. The continent has launched a combined total of 65 satellites, with over 120 additional satellites in development and expected to be launched by 2030. africacenter.org/spo...

3 years ago today, Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso. Since then, insecurity in Burkina Faso has in fact grown more deadly and widespread. 1/2

By attacking transportation arteries, fuel tankers, and population centers in western Mali, the JNIM coalition is targeting the economic, security, and political vulnerabilities of the military junta in Bamako. africacenter.org/spo...

تستفيد الصين من الأولوية المنخفضة التي تمنحها وسائل الإعلام العالمية والقوى الكبرى لقارة أفريقيا. وقد جعل ذلك من السهل على جيش التحرير الشعبي الصيني تعزيز وجوده العسكري في أفريقيا دون جذب الانتباه.

97% of Africans forcibly displaced from their homes are still in Africa—either internally displaced or living in other African countries. africacenter.org/spo... 1/3

The siege of El-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region has severely escalated, with paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) nearly completing a total encirclement of the city. sudantribune.com/art... 1/2

African communication satellites are expanding internet access to rural communities, helping bridge the digital divide that continues to separate much of Africa from the global information economy.

Yoweri Museveni is officially seeking to extend his 39-year rule in Uganda’s next presidential election. Here’s a look at the struggle for the country’s future taking place behind Uganda’s electoral exercises:

One area of focus to come out of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development is a push for improved Africa–Japan coordination on complex threats—including cyber intrusions, maritime threats, trafficking, organized crime, and illicit financial flows. africacenter.org/spo...

Une campagne d'information soutenue par la Russie a contribué à cultiver une image de succès fabriquée numériquement. Hors ligne, la réalité du Burkina Faso est une détérioration constante de la sécurité, de l’économie et des conditions de vie du pays.

The ADF is one of the least understood militant groups in Africa's Great Lakes region. The group has taken on many faces—from Salafi-Jihadi to secular-nationalist, ethno-nationalist, secessionist—each aimed at different audiences and employed for different purposes.

Governments across Africa are increasingly prioritizing investments in space infrastructure, even as they grapple with the challenges of balancing ambitious national programs with limited budgets and pressing domestic needs.

Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger contributed the most to Africa's crisis of forced displacement this past year. africacenter.org/spo...

As Africa’s conflicts increasingly spill across borders, forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing one conflict into another. africacenter.org/spo...

Cameroon is facing a more than decade-long threat from militant Islamist groups. This threat has been escalating with the country experiencing a 50% increase in fatalities linked to these groups in the past year. africacenter.org/spo...

Conflict is the primary driver of forced displacement in Africa. 14 of the 15 African countries with the highest levels of forced displacement are facing conflict. The exception is Eritrea, which exemplifies the other major driver of displacement: domestic repression. africacenter.org/spo...

At present, more than 21 African countries have established space programs and 18 have launched at least one satellite. The continent has launched a combined total of 65 satellites, with over 120 more expected to be launched by 2030. africacenter.org/spo...

As Africa’s conflicts become more regionalized, forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing into neighboring countries also experiencing conflict. africacenter.org/spo...

As Seicheles desempenham um papel vital na manutenção de vias marítimas abertas e na proteção do ambiente marinho. Este facto coloca-a no eixo de interesses geoestratégicos concorrentes entre a China e a Índia.

As Seychelles prepares for a competitive election on September 27, key issues to watch include the country's continued push for transparency, expanded benefits to all citizens, and management of its evolving security threats.

تلعب سيشل دورًا حيويًا في الحفاظ على الممرات البحرية المفتوحة وحماية البيئة البحرية. وهذا يضعها في قلب المصالح الجيوستراتيجية المتنافسة بين الصين والهند.

Guinea’s constitutional referendum aims to cement the military junta’s grip on power and resist popular demands for a return to civilian, democratic rule. africacenter.org/spo...

Governments across Africa are increasingly prioritizing investments in space infrastructure, even as they grapple with the challenges of balancing ambitious national programs with limited budgets and pressing domestic needs. africacenter.org/spo...

Le président Wavel Ramkalawan, du parti Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS), briguera un second mandat lors des élections dans cet archipel de 115 îles situé dans l’océan Indien occidental le 27 septembre.

Addressing security challenges in Burkina Faso will require navigating the disparities between manufactured digital narratives and the deteriorating security realities on the ground.

The ADF, in the eastern Congo, is one of the region’s least understood militant groups. The ADF has played parts ranging from Salafi-Jihadi to secular-nationalist, ethno-nationalist, and secessionist—each aimed at different audiences and employed for different purposes. africacenter.org/spo...

African governments are turning to space to power the continent’s socioeconomic transformation. Satellites are expanding internet access to rural communities, helping bridge the digital divide that continues to separate much of Africa from the global information economy. africacenter.org/spo...

Guinea's constitutional referendum this weekend—administered by the military junta—aims to validate and perpetuate the junta’s rule. Although 70% of Guineans prefer democratic rule, the junta has consistently delayed taking steps to return power to elected civilian leaders. africacenter.org/spo...

En Guinée, le référendum constitutionnel vise à consolider l’emprise de la junte sur le pouvoir et à entraver les revendications populaires pour un retour à un régime civil et démocratique.

Sudan continues to represent the largest displacement crisis in the world with more than 9.7million Sudanese internally displaced and more than 3.1 million Sudanese refugees. africacenter.org/spo...

As Seychelles prepares for a competitive 2025 election, how the country continues its push for transparency, expands benefits to all citizens, and manages its evolving security threats will be key issues to watch. Read our election backgrounder for more:

Guinea’s constitutional referendum aims to cement the military junta’s grip on power and resist popular demands for a return to civilian, democratic rule. africacenter.org/spo...

To benefit from the latest surge in global demand for strategic minerals, African countries must learn from past experiences and build transparent processes that advance stability and benefit ordinary citizens.

Guinea’s constitutional referendum aims to cement the military junta’s grip on power and resist popular demands for a return to civilian, democratic rule. africacenter.org/spo... 1/2

Guinea’s constitutional referendum aims to cement the military junta’s grip on power and resist popular demands for a return to civilian, democratic rule.

Key issues to watch surrounding today's elections in Malawi are the resiliency of Malawi’s civic institutions and courts to ensure a fair process and the effectiveness of reformist coalitions to come together and forge a path forward to address Malawi’s pressing challenges. africacenter.org/spo...

China’s Global Security Initiative aims to advance China’s geostrategic posture by building coalitions of actors that align with Chinese norms on international security and domestic law enforcement.

Africa’s ability to realize the national security, communications, development, and disaster mitigation benefits from satellites and other space technology relies on optimizing opportunities for collaboration.

Today marks the 18th International Day of #Democracy. See our collected research on the links between democratic governance, security, and peace in Africa … as well as the challenges to democracy, both internal and external: africacenter.org/in-...#Democracy.

تعمل الجهات الفاعلة في دول الخليج على توسيع مشاركاتها في البنية التحتية الحيوية والموانئ وقطاع الأمن في شرق إفريقيا، حيث يسعون للحصول على الفرص والتنافس على النفوذ، مما يعيد رسم ملامح المشهد الاستثماري والسياسي في المنطقة. africacenter.org/ar/...

Les acteurs russes ont joué un rôle de premier plan en alimentant et en amplifiant de faux récits autour de la junte burkinabè. La junte, à son tour, a été l’un des plus ardents défenseurs de la présence sécuritaire croissante de Moscou en Afrique.

Africa’s ability to realize the national security, communications, development, and disaster mitigation benefits from satellites and other space technology relies on optimizing opportunities for collaboration.