Africa Conflicts
260 articles
African fans face World Cup issues despite visa bond U-turn
The Trump administration waives a $15,000 visa bond for fans from five countries who have World Cup tickets, but African fans still face challenges.
Former Nigerian minister sentenced to 75 years in rare corruption verdict
Former Power Minister Saleh Mamman was convicted last week - but the authorities do not know his whereabouts.
Nigerian film star Alexx Ekubo dies from cancer aged 40
The actor was recognised for his contributions to entertainment as well as his humanitarian efforts.
'They shot my neighbour in the head' - the lakeside city traumatised by war
Rebel fighters and Rwandan troops are accused of committing atrocities after capturing the DR Congo city of Uvira in December.
Dozens of dogs rescued and suspect arrested in Uganda after BBC investigation
A BBC investigation exposed how scammers posted social content of dogs in distress to dupe donors into giving money.
ISWAP Finds Haven in Nigeria’s ‘Timbuktu Triangle’
A region in northeast Nigeria has been dubbed “the Timbuktu Triangle” by terror groups as they aspire to tighten control and establish a caliphate. New reporting from Borno and Yobe states shows that residents live in fear as they face whippings, taxation and even execution if they violate rules put
ECOWAS to Establish Regional Counterterror Force
As the Economic Community of West African States prepares to establish a regional force to combat terrorism and security threats, researchers say that identifying a reliable financing source will be critical. In February, chiefs of staff of ECOWAS endorsed the plan, which falls within the framework
Forces Build Capacity, Trust at Flintlock 26
The campus of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Jacqueville, Côte d’Ivoire, looked like a scene from an action movie, as armored vehicles swarmed across the ground and drones buzzed above in a highly coordinated search for attacking insurgents. West African forces and their internationa
Libyan Joint Forces Make History at Flintlock 26
Flintlock 26 wasn’t just a military exercise. For co-host Libya, it was a historic event that brought together Libyan soldiers from the country’s Government of National Unity (GNU) and Libyan National Army (LNA) governments, building tangible momentum toward stabilizing and potentially reunifying se
Ghana to evacuate 300 from South Africa over anti-immigrant protests
The foreign minister says the "distressed" Ghanaians registered with the embassy in Pretoria to be evacuated.
Mozambique Fighting Drugs, Cartels, Addiction
Mozambique has long been a key transit point for the trafficking of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and opioids, but recent arrests and government data show that the drug business is expanding alongside rising concerns of domestic addiction problems. After months of investigating evid
Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Exploits African Shipping Registries to Skirt Sanctions
From the ports of Cameroon to the islands of Comoros, Russian vessels are increasingly registering tankers under African flags to keep its widely sanctioned, oil-exporting “shadow fleet” operating. Russia needs to continue transporting oil to fund its costly invasion of Ukraine. Researchers at the R
Mali Siege Reveals Weakness of Mercenary Model
The retreat of Malian and Russian forces from Kidal after their defeat by combined insurgent forces at the end of April called into question the value of the Malian junta’s counterterrorism strategy, which relies heavily on Russia’s Africa Corps private military contractor. The cost of Africa Corps’
Suffering Continues as Sudan War Enters Fourth Year
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a May 3 drone strike against a fuel storage facility at Kenana Sugar Co. Ltd. in White Nile State, setting fire to one of the country’s most important pieces of economic infrastructure and weakening the nation’s food security. “The targeting of facilities
Dress made from 500 loaves stuns African film awards
Celebrities, filmmakers and creators put up a performance at Africa's biggest night of film and fashion.
Rwanda’s Exit From Cabo Delgado Would Leave Security Vacuum
The future of Rwanda’s military deployment in northern Mozambique is uncertain, as Kigali has tied the continuation of its mission in the insurgency-plagued Cabo Delgado province to securing sustained funding. President Paul Kagame recently warned that Rwandan forces could withdraw as early as May,
Burkinabe Forces’ Brutal Tactics Weaken Counterterror Fight
Burkina Faso’s military and pro-government forces are accused of killing hundreds of civilians between January 2023 and August 2025, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Of the 1,837 civilians killed in Burkina Faso during that time, more than 1,200 were slain by the Burkinabe m
Al-Shabaab’s Tactics Evolving
A security specialist says that the terrorist group al-Shabaab and other extremist organizations are learning to move faster as they refine their efforts to target communities and security forces. Security expert Ibrahim Yanaya told intelligence chiefs from 70 countries at an April 2026 meeting in K
Chinese Initiative Normalizes ‘Techno-Authoritarianism’
Experts are warning that China’s recently launched Global Governance Initiative (GGI) represents a threat to developing nations by promoting authoritarianism through digital surveillance and repression. The adoption of “techno-authoritarianism,” defined as the use of digital information technology b
Islamic State Expands Reach
Moroccan and Spanish authorities on March 25 collaborated to arrest three suspected Islamic State group members: two in Tangier, one on Mallorca, Spain’s largest island. The suspect in Spain is accused of planning a solo attack, while the suspects in Morocco allegedly provided funding and logistical
Islamic State Uses Sahel Base to Sow Terror Abroad
In February 2025, Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations arrested 12 men connected to Islamic State-Sahel Province during raids across the country, disrupting a terror plot to bomb financial and tourist sites. The raid turned up Islamic State flags, cash, nail bombs, dynamite, guns and
Ugandans Tricked Into Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Two Ugandans recently were killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine, adding to the mounting toll of African casualties in that conflict. The two men, Michael Atuhaire and Ashiraf Damulira, are among nearly 1,500 Africans fighting for Russia, often after being lured to the country with promises of lucra
Internet Shutdowns Spread in Africa
Fifteen African countries shut down their citizens’ internet access a total of 36 times in 2025. The shutdowns were often in response to political unrest, national exams or armed conflict, according to a report by internet advocacy groups #KeepItOn Coalition and Access Now. Tanzania led the list, bl
Malian Insurgents Attack with Drones
The recent attack on a Malian Army base near the community of Aguelhok was the latest example of insurgent groups in the country using armed drones against government and paramilitary forces. The attack by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) in early April targeted a military base near the community u
ISWAP Continues to Abduct, Convert Children Into Fighters
Yusuf was 5 years old on the night that Islamic State group terrorists on motorcycles raided his village and took him to raise as one of their own. By the time he was 10, he had fought against the Nigerian Army and the rival terrorist group known as Boko Haram. After five years of combat [...] The p
Reports Uncover Russian Efforts to Swing African Elections
Secret meetings, fake documents, smear campaigns and paid local influencers. These were some of the tools that Russian agents used to conduct covert influence operations in Southern Africa during election campaigns between 2019 and 2025, seeking to manipulate political outcomes and keep pro-Moscow g
Al-Shabaab Highlights Role of Foreign Fighters
Al-Shabaab’s attack last October on the Godka Jilacow prison in Mogadishu took place with the help of foreign fighters from across East Africa, the terrorist group reported in a recently released video. The attack on one of the country’s most secure prisons sent shockwaves through the region. Al-Sha
Kenya, France Strengthen Maritime Cooperation
The defense partnership between Kenya and France reached a new phase in mid-March when three French warships and more than 800 French military personnel docked at the Port of Mombasa during a mission focused on training and maritime security cooperation. The deployment of the Aconit, a frigate, and
South Africa Cracks Down on IUU Fishing by Foreign Trawlers
Four Chinese fishing vessels in late February were found operating illegally inside South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and territorial waters without the required permits. The vessels repeatedly switched off their automatic identification system (AIS) transponders, a common practice among
African Nations Eye Cosmos of Opportunities
Algeria expanded African nations’ presence in space this year with the launch of two satellites in two weeks in January. ALSAT-3A and ALSAT-3B brought to 69 the number of satellites African countries have launched into orbit since Egypt’s NileSat-101 in 1998. Space has become an important frontier f
Nuba Mountains Emerge as New Front in Sudan’s Civil War
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) said a Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) airstrike that killed at least seven people and injured dozens more during a funeral on March 27 in the Nuba Mountains. The region near the South Sudan border was far from the front lines when Sudan’s civil war
Nigeria deploys AW-109 Trekker helicopter pilots after training in Italy
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed a new group of specialist technicians to operational units following the completion of an intensive six-week maintenance program on the AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker […]
US to establish drone training center in Morocco
The United States will establish a regional drone training center in Morocco to modernize security partnerships and enhance counterterrorism capabilities across Africa. This initiative, announced by General Christopher Donahue, commander […]
MIVSB and HAVELSAN to Advance Deep-Tech Capabilities
MIMOS International Venture Sdn Bhd (MIVSB), the strategic commercialization arm for MIMOS Berhad, and HAVELSAN, a global leader in defense and information technologies, today announced a comprehensive Teaming Agreement to […]
Nigerian Navy integrates AYBARS-2 tactical drones to enhance maritime surveillance
The Nigerian Navy integrated the AYBARS-2 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle into its fleet in January 2026 to enhance surveillance across the country’s territorial waters. The arrival of the tactical drones, […]
Flyover of Turkish F-16s during Somali anniversary
Three Turkish F-16 fighter jets performed a high-speed flyover in Mogadishu to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army (SNA). This aerial display marked the first time Turkey […]
Boko Haram, ISWAP Target Military Bases
As they seek to exert more control over portions of northeastern Nigeria, terrorist groups have attacked military outposts across the region and killed dozens of Soldiers. On April 13, terrorists from Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) attacked a military base in the Borno State community o
Deadly Burundi Depot Explosion Underscores Risks
A series of explosions in Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital, began around 6:15 p.m. on March 31 and did not end until about midnight. The blasts killed at least 13 people and wounded 57 more, including three Burundian Soldiers. Officials said the explosions, which sent projectiles raining down o
Kremlin Used AI, Fake Author to Pass Off Propaganda
Social media companies have uncovered an effort by Russia to create a fake expert to spread false information in Africa. Russian operatives used a popular artificial intelligence platform to create content for a fictitious academic and geopolitical commentator named “Dr. Manuel Godsin” to infiltrate
Islamic State Attacks Eastern DRC Mines
Islamic State’s recent attack on a Chinese-owned gold mine along the Ituri River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the first of its kind for the group and demonstrated a shift in both tactics and strategy, according to analysts. The Muchacha mine in the eastern Ituri Province employs thous
Kenya Opens New Close Quarters Battle Training Complex in Mtongwe
The United States is helping Kenya secure its waters by investing in a new Marine Range and Close Quarters Battle training complex at the Kenya Navy Base in Mtongwe, Mombasa County. Designed to boost the skills of Kenyan marine commandos, the $750,483 facility features a 100-meter small arms range a
Community Mediation Addresses Security Concerns at Grassroots
Community mediation practitioners in Nigeria are showing that early intervention can stop conflict before it escalates to large-scale violence. Felicia Ilujunka of Lokoja, Nigeria, in Kogi State knows this well. She is quick to smile, but as a teacher for 35 years, she’s known for her contempt for b
South Africa Turns to the Military to Fight Crime
Facing rising crime, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized a sweeping domestic deployment of military forces to support police operations in five provinces. He called the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) a “force multiplier” in assisting the South African Police Service (SAP
‘No Hope Left’ As Chinese Trawlers Plunder Senegalese Waters
Artisanal fishing had sustained Ibrahima Mar’s family for generations. But Mar, a resident of Rufisque, a suburb of Dakar, has seen the country’s fish stocks reduced gradually but drastically over the last 15 years. This is due to foreign industrial trawlers, particularly those from China, that are
HAVELSAN to Showcase Its Multi-Domain Operational Solutions at DSA 2026
HAVELSAN will participate in DSA 2026, to be held in Kuala Lumpur from April 20–23, 2026, where it will present its products and solutions developed for multi domain operations to […]
French Navy offshore patrol vessel Enseigne de Vaisseau Jacoubet (F794) visits Ghana
The French Navy offshore patrol vessel Enseigne de Vaisseau Jacoubet (F794) arrived at the Sekondi Naval Base on Thursday, 2 April 2026, to conduct joint maritime security operations with the […]
DCD Protected Mobility deploys tactical vehicles to strengthen SA border security
DCD Protected Mobility has deployed a fleet of armored and all-terrain vehicles to support the South African Border Management Authority (BMA) during its 2026 Easter operational period. The deployment, confirmed […]
Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand arrives Kenya to bolster defence ties
The Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand arrived at the port of Mombasa on 7 April 2026 for a four-day operational visit to strengthen maritime security ties with Kenya. The INS […]
Ethiopia receives additional Calidus MCAV-20 armoured vehicles from UAE
The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) receives an additional batch of Calidus MCAV-20 armoured vehicles from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in early 2026 to modernize its motorized infantry and […]
Angola Disrupts Russian Influence Effort
The Angolan government has charged two Russian nationals with terrorism, espionage and influence peddling as part of a false information campaign designed to fuel antigovernment protests ahead of upcoming presidential elections. Angola is the latest African country to find itself on the receiving en