Will Brown
@willbrownecfr.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. Working on African affairs. Previously Nairobi, Dakar and Delhi.
https://ecfr.eu/profile/will-brown
https://ecfr.eu/profile/will-brown
Pinned
Will Brown
@willbrownecfr.bsky.social
· Nov 19
The bottom line is if you're consuming the Sahel/West Africa political or conflict content on X, you're being bathed in disinformation/FIMI.
This one graph we at ECFR published, looking at X posts on Niger, shows you just how far the rot has gone.
Full report here
ecfr.eu/publication/...
This one graph we at ECFR published, looking at X posts on Niger, shows you just how far the rot has gone.
Full report here
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
I missed this excellent @ecfr.eu report from several weeks ago on Russian influence in Africa: a comprehensive look at something normally covered only in fragments:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
November 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I missed this excellent @ecfr.eu report from several weeks ago on Russian influence in Africa: a comprehensive look at something normally covered only in fragments:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
"Clearly echoing Erwin Rommel’s Nazi force, the Africa Corps is the Kremlin’s new expeditionary formation in Africa. ...Like Wagner before it, it is still laden with neo-Nazi and white supremacist symbology."
on Russian neo-colonialism in Africa:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
on Russian neo-colonialism in Africa:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"Clearly echoing Erwin Rommel’s Nazi force, the Africa Corps is the Kremlin’s new expeditionary formation in Africa. ...Like Wagner before it, it is still laden with neo-Nazi and white supremacist symbology."
on Russian neo-colonialism in Africa:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
on Russian neo-colonialism in Africa:
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
Reposted by Will Brown
Finally, and just published tonight: a European perspective on the humanitarian nightmare in Sudan. Europe can't do much. But @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social make the case for it doing what it can: ecfr.eu/article/suda...
Sudan: A war Europe cannot stop, but cannot ignore
El-Fasher in North Darfur is now the epicentre of the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophe. Europe’s options are limited, but there are still ways to hold the responsible accountable.
ecfr.eu
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Finally, and just published tonight: a European perspective on the humanitarian nightmare in Sudan. Europe can't do much. But @willbrownecfr.bsky.social and @cinziabianco.bsky.social make the case for it doing what it can: ecfr.eu/article/suda...
Reposted by Will Brown
“It looks like President Kiir is continuing to escalate. … Some people in Juba worry that Kiir is trying to start an ethnic war,” ~ Alan Boswell, @crisisgroup.org project director for the Horn of Africa.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
South Sudan’s president arrests VP, opposition says, risking imminent war
President Salva Kiir ordered the arrest of Riek Machar, the opposition said, imperiling a 2018 peace deal. Several embassies urged their citizens to leave the country.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
“It looks like President Kiir is continuing to escalate. … Some people in Juba worry that Kiir is trying to start an ethnic war,” ~ Alan Boswell, @crisisgroup.org project director for the Horn of Africa.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Will Brown
📢 NEW policy brief on Gulf players' geoeconomic engagement in Africa is out now.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are making geoeconomic inroads into sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in energy and climate. This could affect Europe’s African interests.
Read our new policy brief by Maddalena Procopio & Corrado Čok.
@ecfrafrica.bsky.social
Read our new policy brief by Maddalena Procopio & Corrado Čok.
@ecfrafrica.bsky.social
March 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM
📢 NEW policy brief on Gulf players' geoeconomic engagement in Africa is out now.
Reposted by Will Brown
"In both Ethiopia and South Sudan, conflicts are escalating again. To prevent further regionalisation of the conflict landscape, Europe should support high-level diplomacy", writes Gerrit Kurtz at @swp-berlin.org
www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
Horn of Africa: Time for preventive diplomacy
In both Ethiopia and South Sudan, conflicts are escalating again. To prevent further regionalisation of the conflict landscape, Europe should...
www.swp-berlin.org
March 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
"In both Ethiopia and South Sudan, conflicts are escalating again. To prevent further regionalisation of the conflict landscape, Europe should support high-level diplomacy", writes Gerrit Kurtz at @swp-berlin.org
www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
Reposted by Will Brown
I’m quoted along with the excellent @simnasr.bsky.social and @menastream.bsky.social on the brutal and escalating tactics and attacks on civilians that mark the Wagner group’s presence in Mali: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Russia’s Wagner mercenaries are leading a campaign of terror in Mali
Fighting alongside Malian soldiers, Wagner mercenaries have massacred civilians and burned their villages in northern Mali, fueling a fast-growing refugee crisis.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I’m quoted along with the excellent @simnasr.bsky.social and @menastream.bsky.social on the brutal and escalating tactics and attacks on civilians that mark the Wagner group’s presence in Mali: www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Will Brown
The number of civilians casualties from #drone strikes in #Ethiopia is rising sharply with the arrival of new Turkish #drones. The lackluster international attitude on drone warfare is sending states on a killing spree. Strong piece by @zekuzelalem.bsky.social
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
March 2, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The number of civilians casualties from #drone strikes in #Ethiopia is rising sharply with the arrival of new Turkish #drones. The lackluster international attitude on drone warfare is sending states on a killing spree. Strong piece by @zekuzelalem.bsky.social
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
On #Ethiopia’s drone-backed wars... "In just a few years, they have become some of the deadliest conflicts for civilians in the country’s history."
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Deadly skies: Drone warfare in Ethiopia and the future of conflict in Africa
Drone warfare is increasing in Ethiopia and across Africa. These foreign-supplied weapons risk prolonging wars and can help drive governments further away from the West…
ecfr.eu
March 4, 2025 at 9:18 AM
On #Ethiopia’s drone-backed wars... "In just a few years, they have become some of the deadliest conflicts for civilians in the country’s history."
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
A must read from one of the journalists I respect the most, @zekuzelalem.bsky.social. We heard all about how drones were going to be revolutionizing medicine delivery in Africa and all that. But what is happening?
Cheap drones have been extending warfare on the continent.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Cheap drones have been extending warfare on the continent.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
March 5, 2025 at 1:47 AM
A must read from one of the journalists I respect the most, @zekuzelalem.bsky.social. We heard all about how drones were going to be revolutionizing medicine delivery in Africa and all that. But what is happening?
Cheap drones have been extending warfare on the continent.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Cheap drones have been extending warfare on the continent.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Will Brown
1/ I want to flag two brilliant new policy briefs from @ecfrafrica.bsky.social fellows.
First, the inimitable Jonas Horner wrote about the greatest crisis on earth today: Sudan. How Europeans can navigate the dizzying range of interests, foreign powers to help bring about peace?
First, the inimitable Jonas Horner wrote about the greatest crisis on earth today: Sudan. How Europeans can navigate the dizzying range of interests, foreign powers to help bring about peace?
March 7, 2025 at 8:57 AM
1/ I want to flag two brilliant new policy briefs from @ecfrafrica.bsky.social fellows.
First, the inimitable Jonas Horner wrote about the greatest crisis on earth today: Sudan. How Europeans can navigate the dizzying range of interests, foreign powers to help bring about peace?
First, the inimitable Jonas Horner wrote about the greatest crisis on earth today: Sudan. How Europeans can navigate the dizzying range of interests, foreign powers to help bring about peace?
Reposted by Will Brown
Ivan Krastev: “what history teaches us is that the best strategy is not to resist the revolutionaries but to hijack their revolution. In doing this, Europe’s success will mostly depend not on its ability to resist but on displaying a talent to surprise.”
on.ft.com/3QE2FPH
on.ft.com/3QE2FPH
Europe should hijack Trump’s revolutionary plans for the world
Liberal nationalists must respond with imagination to US policies rather than gripe at being cut out of Ukraine talks
on.ft.com
March 2, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Ivan Krastev: “what history teaches us is that the best strategy is not to resist the revolutionaries but to hijack their revolution. In doing this, Europe’s success will mostly depend not on its ability to resist but on displaying a talent to surprise.”
on.ft.com/3QE2FPH
on.ft.com/3QE2FPH
Reposted by Will Brown
A first for me, I wrote a policy brief for the @ecfr.eu, addressing the proliferation of cheap drones across Africa, distributed by the likes of China, Türkiye & the UAE. They cause carnage, the erosion of democracy, but also a political realignment towards Moscow.
I used Ethiopia as a study case.
I used Ethiopia as a study case.
Deadly skies: Drone warfare in Ethiopia and the future of conflict in Africa
Drone warfare is increasing in Ethiopia and across Africa. These foreign-supplied weapons risk prolonging wars and can help drive governments further away from the West…
ecfr.eu
February 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
A first for me, I wrote a policy brief for the @ecfr.eu, addressing the proliferation of cheap drones across Africa, distributed by the likes of China, Türkiye & the UAE. They cause carnage, the erosion of democracy, but also a political realignment towards Moscow.
I used Ethiopia as a study case.
I used Ethiopia as a study case.
A must read from my old colleagues. The world needs to wake up to what's going on www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
Children reduced to skin and bones in war-torn Sudan’s forgotten famine
Every scrap of food counts for the millions on the brink of starvation in the remote Nuba mountains
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 15, 2025 at 4:06 PM
A must read from my old colleagues. The world needs to wake up to what's going on www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
Latest: As Trump rattles sabres against old allies, North Korean troops fight on Europe’s border, and Gaza and Khartoum lie in ruins, the restraints—real or imagined—on expansionist ambitions are collapsing.
ecfr.eu/article/pres...
ecfr.eu/article/pres...
Pressure points: How Europeans could help avert a Third Congo War
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe
ecfr.eu
February 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Latest: As Trump rattles sabres against old allies, North Korean troops fight on Europe’s border, and Gaza and Khartoum lie in ruins, the restraints—real or imagined—on expansionist ambitions are collapsing.
ecfr.eu/article/pres...
ecfr.eu/article/pres...
Reposted by Will Brown
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe, writes @willbrownecfr.bsky.social 📝 @ecfrafrica.bsky.social
Pressure points: How Europeans could help avert a Third Congo War
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe
buff.ly
February 13, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Congo stands on the brink of being at the centre of a devastating new regional war. Europe should act in its own self-interest to avert further humanitarian catastrophe, writes @willbrownecfr.bsky.social 📝 @ecfrafrica.bsky.social
Reposted by Will Brown
Reposted by Will Brown
"The role of the ultra-wealthy has morphed from one of shared social responsibility and patronage to the freewheeling celebration of selfish opulence," @brianklaas.bsky.social writes:
The Rise of the Selfish Plutocrats
Instead of pursuing philanthropy, many now seek to evade social responsibility.
www.theatlantic.com
February 7, 2025 at 12:56 PM
"The role of the ultra-wealthy has morphed from one of shared social responsibility and patronage to the freewheeling celebration of selfish opulence," @brianklaas.bsky.social writes:
More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to the UN.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
DR Congo: Escaped prisoners on the streets of Goma
Footage shows people believed to be escaped prisoners on the streets of Goma, as M23 rebels enter the Congolese city.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 7:04 PM
More than 100 female prisoners were raped and then burned alive during a jailbreak in the Congolese city of Goma, according to the UN.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
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PEPFAR Impact Tracker
Track the impact of PEPFAR funding halt
pepfarimpact.vercel.app
February 6, 2025 at 4:12 PM
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