ISS, Institute for Security Studies
Algeria-AES diplomatic crisis calls for swift African Union mediation
29th April 2025 The latest tensions are a wake-up call for the AU, which has lost influence in the Sahel-Saharan region. The current diplomatic crisis between... →
Challenges facing the latest truce between Kinshasa and M23
29th April 2025 Dynamics on the ground in eastern DRC and the country’s capital will test Qatar’s mediation efforts. On 23 April, delegations from Kinshasa and... →
In Burkina Faso, Traoré’s legacy could extend beyond popularity and promises
25th April 2025 The challenge will be translating the country’s rich mineral resources and promising economy into stability and development. At 36, Burkina Faso’s... →
Could anchor states benefit Africa’s Peace and Security Council?
25th April 2025 Recent PSC elections revived debates about whether membership should favour inclusion and fairness or regional capacity and influence. The African... →
Women, illicit activities and terrorism: what are the risks for West Africa?
17th April 2025 Understanding women’s role in illicit activities is key to reducing their likelihood of becoming associated with violent extremists. Women’s... →
AI and Africa’s ‘counterfeit’ journalists
16th April 2025 AI technology is ‘shooting the messenger’ by impersonating professional journalists to gain credibility for false narratives. Not long ago,... →
New AU leaders must articulate a bold vision for Africa’s peace operations
15th April 2025 A clear vision for peace operations should redefine the complementary roles of the AU and the UN. In his election campaigns for the African Union’s... →
Balancing economics and security on the Nigeria-Cameroon border
14th April 2025 The two countries must cooperate to stop Boko Haram from taking advantage of open borders to revive their operations. On 27 January, the governors... →
Could Africa still be hard hit by Trump’s tariff tantrum?
14th April 2025 If they are imposed, Trump’s blizzard of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs will hit AGOA beneficiaries more than most. Africa is being hit by one disaster after... →
Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Special Bench – more than just a criminal tribunal
10th April 2025 The Special Bench should have jurisdiction over a broader range of disputes – not merely function as a criminal tribunal. Following an... →
Demographics not poor governance explain Africa’s slow development
8th April 2025 Until dependency ratios shift, Africa’s large youthful population will remain the continent’s biggest barrier to growth. Africa’s disappointing... →
Is the loss of aid an opportunity for Africa?
4th April 2025 US and EU aid cuts could prompt Africa to end its dependency, but the task for poor countries will be especially difficult. United States (US)... →
Grave risks for Cameroon as soldiers desert to fight in Ukraine
3rd April 2025 Cameroon faces a multitude of security threats and cannot afford to lose its soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine war. The desertion of soldiers to fight... →
William Ruto – from hustler to dealmaker?
2nd April 2025 As the 2027 elections loom closer, three grand bargains will determine the president’s political future. Nearly three years into his presidency,... →
Can West African nations come together to stop terrorism spreading?
1st April 2025 Mistrust between AES and ECOWAS countries must be overcome to enable intelligence sharing and security cooperation. On 8 January, members of the... →
Is Zimbabwe facing another November 2017?
31st March 2025 Mnangagwa looks beyond his second term, prompting war veterans backing Vice-President Chiwenga to threaten an ‘uprising’ on 31 March. Tensions are... →
Chapo-Mondlane meeting presents a glimmer of hope for Mozambique
28th March 2025 Despite scepticism about the government’s intentions, the meeting shows a shift in President Chapo’s hardline approach to resolving post-election... →
Cue the cameras: how SAPS bodycams can deliver tangible results
27th March 2025 What should police body-worn cameras aim to achieve, and how will we know if they are working? The South African Police Service (SAPS) plans to... →
Could prolonged warfare in Sudan lead to the country splitting?
25th March 2025 Shifting military dynamics, political fragmentation and external interference could escalate clashes, pushing the country towards partition. The... →
Namibia’s first woman president takes the helm
24th March 2025 President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presents herself as an implementer – can she meet the country’s high expectations and reverse SWAPO’s decline? On... →
‘Transition fatigue’ in South Sudan ramps up tensions
20th March 2025 The recent conflict is rooted in repeated extensions of the transition timeframe and enduring political and security problems. Recent deadly... →
Africa’s democracies must guard against local online influencer networks
19th March 2025 New research shows that key figures in South Africa’s domestic online influence industry are engaged in transnational disinformation campaigns. A... →
Lake Chad Basin insurgents raise the stakes with weaponised drones
18th March 2025 ISWAP’s enhanced operations and use of drone attacks represent a turning point for counter-terrorism in the region. The 24 December 2024 attack on... →
Iran and the price of the ANC’s nostalgia
14th March 2025 The African National Congress’ friendship with Tehran is becoming the main bugbear in US relations with South Africa. Back in 2022 and 2023 after... →
Türkiye throws Somalia a lifeline to catch illegal fishers
14th March 2025 A long-term maritime agreement could boost Somalia’s naval capacity to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Somalia loses around... →
Lessons from Kenya’s bold but poorly executed visa-free policy
13th March 2025 Kenya’s experience can help countries balance practical realities with Africa’s goal of open borders and regional connections. In January 2024,... →
Can African philanthropy fill in for American aid cuts?
12th March 2025 Africa must look within to improve resource allocation and promote social impact investments that go beyond just boosting profits. On the day he... →
Can Zimbabwe’s Independent Complaints Commission win civil society over?
11th March 2025 The new commission is a step in the right direction for security sector reform, but faces several tough challenges. Since gaining independence in... →
Ethiopia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office needs an international cooperation unit
10th March 2025 To effectively deliver justice for international crimes, an independent international cooperation unit is essential. Ethiopia is drafting... →
Will Ghana’s Mahama grasp the nettle of constitutional reform?
7th March 2025 Ghana’s constitution allows an excessively powerful presidency to influence all levels of administration – it must be reformed. John Mahama won... →
South Africa’s trade deficit dilemma with China
6th March 2025 South Africa needs to benefit more from its active, albeit highly unequal, trading partnership with China. South Africa’s total bilateral trade... →
West African wildlife sanctuary becomes a hub of insecurity
5th March 2025 Spanning three countries, the vast W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is being used to facilitate organised crime, terrorism and local conflicts. The... →
Civil society needs a role in Mali’s security reforms
3rd March 2025 Security sector reforms that began well before the country’s two coups still suffer from a lack of effective civil society participation. Since its... →
Data modelling reveals the heavy toll of USAID cuts on Africa
28th February 2025 Given the US’ major contribution to aid, Trump’s cuts could push 5.7-million more Africans into extreme poverty next year. Since returning to... →
AU ‘Year of Reparations’ should look to the future and the past
27th February 2025 Reparations aim to repair relationships and prevent violence – a forward-looking approach could foster a more just global order. The African... →
US Paris climate agreement exit will hit Africa hard
27th February 2025 This week’s G20 finance meeting must galvanise a global climate agenda to mitigate the grave impact of the US withdrawal. On his first day in... →
ECOWAS is still pivotal to steadying The Gambia’s transition
26th February 2025 Divisions over the latest draft constitution, which extends executive power and term limits, necessitate ECOWAS’ involvement. Eight years ago, the... →
Turning Africa’s legal advantages into benefits for climate refugees
24th February 2025 On paper, Africa is ahead of the world on climate-linked migration, but needs support to implement its progressive frameworks. The number of people... →
How will Africa adapt to a disappearing ‘West’?
21st February 2025 As Trump drives a wedge between US-Europe relations, Africa should cleave closer to reliable friends and safeguard multilateralism. The widening... →
Traffic cop corruption tarnishes all policing in South Africa
21st February 2025 Anti-corruption measures targeting traffic police, not just SAPS, are vital to improve safety in SA’s major cities. One of the biggest challenges... →
Funding for Somalia’s new AU peace mission hangs in the balance
20th February 2025 With delays in activating a new UN-AU cost-sharing mechanism, both organisations must now re-double their efforts to secure funds. A new African... →
