Africa Center for Strategic Studies
@africacenter.bsky.social
Advancing African security by expanding understanding, providing a trusted platform for dialogue, building partnerships, and catalyzing solutions
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.
We examine these divergent trends to better understand the focal points, actors, and objectives of the different groups driving the violence.
The Shifting Front of Militant Islamist Violence in the Sahel – Africa Center
Islamist violence in the Sahel continues to shift south and west, pressuring population centers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the coast.
africacenter.org
November 8, 2025 at 6:33 AM
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.
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.
Practical Lessons to Improve Stabilization Operations in Somalia – Africa Center
Insufficient civilian–military coordination is hindering stabilization and consolidation of gains in the fight against al Shabaab in Somalia.
africacenter.org
October 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
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...
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...
October 8, 2025 at 7:41 PM
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...
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:
See our Spotlight for more lessons and recommendations:
Practical Lessons to Improve Stabilization Operations in Somalia – Africa Center
Insufficient civilian–military coordination is hindering stabilization and consolidation of gains in the fight against al Shabaab in Somalia.
africacenter.org
October 7, 2025 at 6:19 PM
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:
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.
Our Spotlight examines these trends to better understand the varying focal points, actors, and objectives of the groups driving the violence.
The Shifting Front of Militant Islamist Violence in the Sahel – Africa Center
Islamist violence in the Sahel continues to shift south and west, pressuring population centers in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the coast.
africacenter.org
October 6, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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.
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.
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October 5, 2025 at 10:45 AM
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.
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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.
Practical Lessons to Improve Stabilization Operations in Somalia – Africa Center
Insufficient civilian–military coordination is hindering stabilization and consolidation of gains in the fight against al Shabaab in Somalia.
africacenter.org
October 4, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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.
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africacenter.org/spo...
October 3, 2025 at 12:28 PM
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...
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...
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...
October 2, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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...
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.
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September 30, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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.
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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...
africacenter.org/spo...
September 30, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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...
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.
September 30, 2025 at 6:22 AM
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.
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Africa’s Colliding Conflicts Compound Forced Displacement Crisis – Africa Center
Africa’s forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing into neighboring countries also experiencing conflict.
africacenter.org
September 29, 2025 at 6:34 PM
97% of Africans forcibly displaced from their homes are still in Africa—either internally displaced or living in other African countries.
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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.
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September 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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.
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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.
African Collaboration in the Space Domain Holds Potential for Continental Benefits – Africa Center
Africa’s ability to realize the national security, communications, and disaster mitigation benefits from space technology relies on collaboration.
africacenter.org
September 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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:
Here’s a look at the struggle for the country’s future taking place behind Uganda’s electoral exercises:
The Battle for the Soul of Uganda – Africa Center
A new generation in Uganda demanding more political inclusion is challenging the NRM old-guard’s monopoly on power.
africacenter.org
September 28, 2025 at 7:38 PM
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:
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.
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September 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
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...
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.
Hors ligne, la réalité du Burkina Faso est une détérioration constante de la sécurité, de l’économie et des conditions de vie du pays.
Une divergence croissante de narratifs autour de la sécurité au Burkina Faso – Centre d’Études Stratégiques de l’Afrique
Les conditions sécuritaires du Burkina Faso continuent de se détériorer sous la junte militaire, malgré une campagne d’information de grande envergure.
africacenter.org
September 27, 2025 at 10:03 AM
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.
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.
The Ever-Adaptive Allied Democratic Forces Insurgency – Africa Center
The Allied Defense Forces, one of the least understood militant groups in the Great Lakes, has endured for over 20 years by instrumentalizing Islamist, ethnic, and secessionist ideologies to recruit and forge new alliances.
africacenter.org
September 27, 2025 at 6:56 AM
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.
African Collaboration in the Space Domain Holds Potential for Continental Benefits – Africa Center
Africa’s ability to realize the national security, communications, and disaster mitigation benefits from space technology relies on collaboration.
africacenter.org
September 26, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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.
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September 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Sudan, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger contributed the most to Africa's crisis of forced displacement this past year.
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As Africa’s conflicts increasingly spill across borders, forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing one conflict into another.
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September 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
As Africa’s conflicts increasingly spill across borders, forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing one conflict into another.
africacenter.org/spo...
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.
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September 25, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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...
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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...
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...
September 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
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...
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...
The continent has launched a combined total of 65 satellites, with over 120 more expected to be launched by 2030.
africacenter.org/spo...
September 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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...
The continent has launched a combined total of 65 satellites, with over 120 more expected to be launched by 2030.
africacenter.org/spo...