Darren Olivier
@darren.africandefence.net
Director at African Defence Review (@africandefence)
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: dolivier@africandefence.net
Signal: darren.13
Covering African conflicts with a specific focus on Southern Africa.
Email: dolivier@africandefence.net
Signal: darren.13
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities - POWER Perspective
Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Defence has raised concerns over a widening gap between the SANDF’s 2024/25 Defence Morale Survey and the real conditions experienced by soldiers on the ground...
omny.fm
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Parliament Raises Concerns Over Gap Between SANDF Morale Survey and Soldiers’ Realities
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Defence journalist Dean Wingrin joins @Tessa_Dooms to unpack the discrepancies and what they mean for the future of the force, on @Powerfm987
omny.fm/shows/power-...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Open Secrets is to appear in the Western Cape High Court on 27 November before Judge Nathan Erasmus in a case brought by Integrated Convoy Protection, a South African armoured vehicle manufacturer.
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
Open Secrets to face armoured vehicle company in court - defenceWeb
Open Secrets is to appear in the Western Cape High Court on 27 November before Judge Nathan Erasmus in a case brought by Integrated Convoy Protection, a South
defenceweb.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Open Secrets is to appear in the Western Cape High Court on 27 November before Judge Nathan Erasmus in a case brought by Integrated Convoy Protection, a South African armoured vehicle manufacturer.
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Defence product development trends – is the SA defence industry ready?
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
Defence product development trends – is the SA defence industry ready? - defenceWeb
There needs to be research and development for a sector like the defence industry to remain viable and grow. The first question is where the South African
defenceweb.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Defence product development trends – is the SA defence industry ready?
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
defenceweb.co.za/industry/ind...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
South Africa’s part-time soldiers did more than their share to see the annual Department of Defence (DoD) Reserve Force manday target reached and passed halfway through the 2025/26 financial term.
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...
SANDF Reserve Force utilisation upped to meet internal commitments - defenceWeb
South Africa’s part-time soldiers did more than their share to see the annual Department of Defence (DoD) Reserve Force manday target reached and passed
defenceweb.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
South Africa’s part-time soldiers did more than their share to see the annual Department of Defence (DoD) Reserve Force manday target reached and passed halfway through the 2025/26 financial term.
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...
defenceweb.co.za/sa-defence-s...
It’s always a pleasure to read Dean’s South African defence budget breakdowns. They’re clear guides to the key elements and a must-read.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
The Medium Term Budget Policy Statement was released today. The Department of Defence’s adjusted budget for 2025/26 rises to R59.07 billion, an increase of R1.89 billion from the original allocation.
/1
/1
November 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
It’s always a pleasure to read Dean’s South African defence budget breakdowns. They’re clear guides to the key elements and a must-read.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
In this, Dean shows how a R1.8 billion ‘increase’ actually doesn’t necessarily improve operational capacity as much as you’d think.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Oh, look, India seems to not have gotten the memo re: conspiracy (Images of Apollo 11 and 12 sites shot by India's ISRO Chandrayaan 2 orbiter)
What an utter disgrace to ever have been a moon landing denier.
What an utter disgrace to ever have been a moon landing denier.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Oh, look, India seems to not have gotten the memo re: conspiracy (Images of Apollo 11 and 12 sites shot by India's ISRO Chandrayaan 2 orbiter)
What an utter disgrace to ever have been a moon landing denier.
What an utter disgrace to ever have been a moon landing denier.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Trump takes on #Nigeria in characteristic fashion: "a very complex matter...stripped of its nuance"
On 1 November, #Trump announced his desire to take military action against the 🇳🇬 gov. to save Christians from the "existential threat" of "radical Islamists"
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
On 1 November, #Trump announced his desire to take military action against the 🇳🇬 gov. to save Christians from the "existential threat" of "radical Islamists"
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump’s ‘guns-a-blazing’ threat to Nigeria shocked key players, aides
President Trump’s threat to go “guns-a-blazing” into Nigeria concerned U.S. military officials in Africa and surprised even those who had been pushing the issue.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Trump takes on #Nigeria in characteristic fashion: "a very complex matter...stripped of its nuance"
On 1 November, #Trump announced his desire to take military action against the 🇳🇬 gov. to save Christians from the "existential threat" of "radical Islamists"
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
On 1 November, #Trump announced his desire to take military action against the 🇳🇬 gov. to save Christians from the "existential threat" of "radical Islamists"
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
In #Uganda, victims of Joseph Kony's #LRA have welcomed the confirmation of 39 war crimes & crimes against humanity charges.
#ICC judges confirmed all of the prosecutor's charges against #Kony, but no trial will go ahead unless he ends up in custody in The Hague.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ICC judges confirmed all of the prosecutor's charges against #Kony, but no trial will go ahead unless he ends up in custody in The Hague.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Joseph Kony case: Ugandans welcome ICC's war crimes charges against LRA leader
The warlord remains at large but victims hope the ICC charges will renew efforts to capture him.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:22 AM
In #Uganda, victims of Joseph Kony's #LRA have welcomed the confirmation of 39 war crimes & crimes against humanity charges.
#ICC judges confirmed all of the prosecutor's charges against #Kony, but no trial will go ahead unless he ends up in custody in The Hague.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
#ICC judges confirmed all of the prosecutor's charges against #Kony, but no trial will go ahead unless he ends up in custody in The Hague.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The Oryx undertaking firefighting duties shortly after arrival in Bredasdorp.
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 AM
The Oryx undertaking firefighting duties shortly after arrival in Bredasdorp.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
"In another alarming example of cover identities under threat, one elite special forces operator ... received a routine piece of mail at his home that had his correct physical address but was addressed to a cover alias that he had used abroad" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Smart new world: adapting human intelligence for the digital age
This article considers the impact of digital advances on clandestine Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations. Despite the arrival and advancement of disruptive technologies, classical HUMINT tradecr...
www.tandfonline.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"In another alarming example of cover identities under threat, one elite special forces operator ... received a routine piece of mail at his home that had his correct physical address but was addressed to a cover alias that he had used abroad" www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Darren Olivier
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Darren Olivier
NEW Q&A | Why is Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Why is President Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria? | International Crisis Group
Relations between the U.S. and Nigeria have soured dramatically amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Nn...
www.crisisgroup.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
NEW Q&A | Why is Trump Threatening a Humanitarian Intervention in Nigeria?
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Relations between the countries have soured amid the Trump administration’s allegations that Nigerian Christians are being slaughtered en masse. We explain the implications.
www.crisisgroup.org/africa/niger...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
A “strategic-advisory firm” based in Mayfair, #London, led an intelligence operation to find “evidence” to undermine the credibility of the woman who accused #ICC prosecutor Karim #Khan of sexual assault.
It was allegedly commissioned by state officials in #Qatar
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
It was allegedly commissioned by state officials in #Qatar
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Revealed: Qatar-linked intelligence operation targeted ICC prosecutor’s alleged victim
Exclusive: Woman who accused Karim Khan of misconduct was subject of covert operation involving two British private intelligence firms
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A “strategic-advisory firm” based in Mayfair, #London, led an intelligence operation to find “evidence” to undermine the credibility of the woman who accused #ICC prosecutor Karim #Khan of sexual assault.
It was allegedly commissioned by state officials in #Qatar
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
It was allegedly commissioned by state officials in #Qatar
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
November 6, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
The #ICC Office of the #Prosecutor said of the decision:
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
Today - almost 1 month after the historic “Confirmation of Charges” hearings against an absent Joseph #Kony - the #ICC Pre-Trial Chamber has confirmed all 39 charges of #warcrimes and crimes against humanity laid by the prosecutor.
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
www.icc-cpi.int/news/kony-ca...
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The #ICC Office of the #Prosecutor said of the decision:
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
“This ensures that Joseph Kony – once arrested – can immediately face trial on these charges”
But judges explicitly suspended the #appeal filing deadline. So if #Kony is ever arrested, expect intense appeals before any possible trial.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Large fires burning on the Heuningberg Mountain above Bredasdorp in the Southern Cape.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
November 7, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Large fires burning on the Heuningberg Mountain above Bredasdorp in the Southern Cape.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
A #SAAF Oryx of 22 Squadron has just departed AFB Ysterplaat to assist with aerial firefighting efforts.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
SAAF CL-13B Sabre Mk 6 372, painted in the colours of a F-86F-30 Sabre 601 used by 2 Squadron, SAAF, during the Korean War.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
November 5, 2025 at 2:03 PM
SAAF CL-13B Sabre Mk 6 372, painted in the colours of a F-86F-30 Sabre 601 used by 2 Squadron, SAAF, during the Korean War.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
SAAF Museum, AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Tracking Anticipated Deaths from USAID Funding Cuts
Brooke Nichols has launched online tracking tools that capture estimated increases in mortality and disease spread for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other diseases as a result of the near-total...
www.bu.edu
November 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
By this time next week, the estimated deaths due to the illegal destruction of USAID and the shuttering of its aid efforts will breach 400,000.
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
More than 260,000 will be children.
Source: www.bu.edu/sph/news/art...
Reposted by Darren Olivier
WE'RE HAVING A PRECONFERENCE AT ICA IN CAPE TOWN!
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
November 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
WE'RE HAVING A PRECONFERENCE AT ICA IN CAPE TOWN!
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
Reposted by Darren Olivier
This is going to be properly amazing. Please pass on to your friends!
WE'RE HAVING A PRECONFERENCE AT ICA IN CAPE TOWN!
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
Are you a scholar of media, war and conflict? We're having a preconference on the theme of 'Challenges to Contemporary Conflict Reporting" in Cape Town in 2026 and we'd love your abstract!
bit.ly/mwc2026cfa
November 3, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This is going to be properly amazing. Please pass on to your friends!
Reposted by Darren Olivier
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:42 AM
A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher
Reposted by Darren Olivier
He told the world what was happening in El Fasher. Then they sought him out. How Sudan lost ‘a true hero of the war’
He told the world what was happening in El Fasher. Then they sought him out. How Sudan lost ‘a true hero of the war’
For months, Mohamed Khamis Douda shared accounts of what life was like under siege. He was killed when RSF fighters finally took the Darfur city, raising fears activists and civil society figures are being hunted down
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM
He told the world what was happening in El Fasher. Then they sought him out. How Sudan lost ‘a true hero of the war’
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Today at 1109Z what looks like a mass spoof event of AIS-signal took place in central Baltic Sea.
In an area from approximately Bornholm to mid Gulf of Finland hundreds (thousands?) of new AIS-messages suddenly appeared. A large part of them military ships.
In an area from approximately Bornholm to mid Gulf of Finland hundreds (thousands?) of new AIS-messages suddenly appeared. A large part of them military ships.
November 2, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Today at 1109Z what looks like a mass spoof event of AIS-signal took place in central Baltic Sea.
In an area from approximately Bornholm to mid Gulf of Finland hundreds (thousands?) of new AIS-messages suddenly appeared. A large part of them military ships.
In an area from approximately Bornholm to mid Gulf of Finland hundreds (thousands?) of new AIS-messages suddenly appeared. A large part of them military ships.
General Mpho Churchill O. Mophuting has been appointed as the new Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
November 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
General Mpho Churchill O. Mophuting has been appointed as the new Commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
Interestingly, he is the first head of the BDF to be given the General rank, all predecessors have been Lt Gens, and he was recalled from retirement for the post.
Reposted by Darren Olivier
Happy Publication Day and congratulations to Dr. @kschake.bsky.social !
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States
Amazon.com: The State and the Soldier: A History of Civil-Military Relations in the United States eBook : Schake, Kori: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Happy Publication Day and congratulations to Dr. @kschake.bsky.social !
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...
A brilliant scholar of civ-mil relations, her prose is joyful and well crafted, and her narrative, compelling.
This is a foundational, urgently needed text. I cannot recommend more strongly.
www.amazon.com/State-Soldie...