Why is Somalia losing ground to Al-Shabaab?
By Adam Abass In 2022, the Somali government and clan militias, supported by the United States and Türkiye drone strikes, launched a concerted military offensive against Al-Shabaab, leading to significant battlefield success and territorial gains. In the past few months, however, these military gains appear to have reversed, as the group has intensified its attacks[…]
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President Traoré is bold but too ambiguous
By Thomas Matthewson In October, 2024, Ibrahim Traoré, the interim President of Burkina Faso, announced plans to revoke mining permits held by foreign companies and increase domestic gold production, claiming “We know how to mine our gold, and I don’t understand why we’re going to let multinationals come and mine it”. This was made during[…]
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Youth Radicalization in Northern Nigeria: Unpacking the Causes and Exploring Solutions
By Francis Assam Nigeria faces a plethora of national security threats, from farmer–herder conflicts and separatist movements to banditry and kidnapping-for-ransom. Yet over the past three decades, terrorism has emerged as the most devastating challenge. Groups such as Boko Haram (formally known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, JAS) and its stronger faction, Islamic State West[…]
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Nigeria’s Growing Insecurity Crisis: The Rise of Terrorist Groups and the Price of Inaction
By Oluwaseun Taiwo Nigeria is once again in the grips of escalating violence. From the highlands of Plateau State to the forests of Zamfara and Borno, communities are caught in the crossfire of relentless terrorist attacks, armed banditry, and mass killings. The cycle of violence, marked by the emergence of new terror groups, mass displacement[…]
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A FRAGILE HOPE? EXAMINING THE DRC-RWANDA CEASEFIRE
By Francis Assam The Democratic Republic of Congo has been a hotbed of violence for decades, with conflicts ranging from armed insurgencies to terrorism fuelled by rebel groups. Despite its vast reserves of rare earth minerals, the country has experienced various forms of violence, leading to the displacement of millions and the loss of countless[…]
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US Foreign Aid to Africa: Can NGOs Survive Without It?
By Oluwaseun Taiwo For decades, US foreign aid has been a lifeline for African NGOs. Through agencies like USAID, American support has fuelled countless initiatives tackling poverty, disease, conflict, and governance failures. In nations such as South Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, and Ethiopia, US-backed NGOs have served as first responders, providing life-saving aid in crisis zones.[…]
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Five years on, How Central Sahelian Juntas are gripping onto power
By Adam Abass This year marks five years since the central Sahel witnessed a significant rise in unconstitutional military takeovers. These coups which rapidly spread across the region, began in 2020 in Mali with the military overthrow of President Ibrahim Keita. A countercoup the following year against the civilian-military-led transitional government further entrenched military rule[…]
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Decolonizing Security: Assessing the Implications of France’s Military Withdrawal from Africa
By Oluwaseun Taiwo For decades, France has played a central role in the security and economic affairs of its former African colonies. From military interventions to economic partnerships and political influence, its presence has been deeply entrenched. However, a significant shift is now underway. France is withdrawing its troops from several Western and French-speaking African[…]
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AfCFTA and the Future of Africa’s Economic Prosperity
By Francis Assam The international system is composed of various continents and countries, none of which are entirely self-sufficient. This interdependence underscores the importance of international trade, as nations leverage their unique resources to foster economic growth. Africa, in particular, is abundantly blessed with both natural and human resources, ranging from crude oil, gold, coltan,[…]
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The Future of Democracy in West Africa: ECOWAS at a Crossroads
By Oluwaseun Taiwo Democracy in West Africa is at a turning point, being challenged by military takeovers, public disillusionment, and systemic inefficiencies. Across the Sahel, democratic progress is inhibited by military-led governments, insecurity, and geopolitical pressures, with recent coups in Burkina Faso and Mali highlighting the fragile state of transitions. As ECOWAS approaches its 50th[…]
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