ISS, Institute for Security Studies
ICJ climate opinion shows the power of youth and global south solidarity
14th August 2025 The unanimous decision clarifies governments’ obligations and provides a precedent for African human rights-based cases. In 2019, law students in... →
Ghana's digital revolution could finally unlock economic growth
13th August 2025 From smart IDs to AI hubs, digitisation can fast-track growth and close the gap with global peers like South Korea. Ghana and South Korea gained... →
Unravelling the illicit economies that sustain terrorism in the Sahel
13th August 2025 The African Union is uniquely positioned to lead coordinated responses that disrupt criminal networks, strengthen border security and cut arms... →
Angola’s wave of protests reflects historic lows in MPLA support
11th August 2025 The current cost-of-living demonstrations indicate widespread dissatisfaction that could continue into the 2027 electoral year. Thousands of people... →
Can Africa stand together against Trump’s tariff assault?
8th August 2025 Some say Africa should present a unified response to US tariffs – but is that possible? It is hard to discern a continental pattern in United... →
Overfishing forces Zambia’s third Lake Tanganyika fishing ban
7th August 2025 Once-abundant fish stocks must be replenished, but the ban alone won’t inspire more sustainable lake use by local communities. Lake Tanganyika is... →
Trump’s deportation deals signal a troubling shift in US-Africa relations
6th August 2025 Eswatini and South Sudan are just two on a list of many African countries America has asked to accept violent criminals. United States (US)... →
October elections will reveal the extent of Tanzania’s democratic decline
4th August 2025 As the country slides towards electoral authoritarianism, even SADC and EAC election observers have been excluded from the polls. Tanzania is... →
Liberation Movements Summit tries to revive its members’ declining fortunes
1st August 2025 The annual summit of the six Southern African liberation movements reveals why they haven’t evolved. The 2025 Liberation Movements Summit provided... →
Chad’s struggle for democracy is far from over
31st July 2025 Barely a year after restoring constitutional order and dominating elections, Chad’s government is doubling down against opposition and free speech.... →
Africa must ride the High Seas Treaty wave
30th July 2025 Having shaped the treaty, Africa must capitalise on recent global momentum to benefit from a new era in ocean governance. In June, the third United... →
How a Boko Haram faction entrenched itself near Nigeria’s capital
30th July 2025 New evidence shows how JAS’ Shiroro cell adopts a flexible approach that tolerates local bandits and their vices. The Shiroro cell of a Boko Haram... →
Disunity in Somalia is al-Shabaab’s greatest weapon
28th July 2025 Cyclical rivalries between the federal government, states and the political opposition have undermined the counter-terrorism strategy’s early... →
Morocco's alleged dollar diplomacy is yielding dividends
25th July 2025 More and more countries – and former SA President Jacob Zuma – are backing Rabat’s plan for autonomy for Western Sahara. Former South African... →
Could old alliances bridge West Africa’s security cooperation gaps?
24th July 2025 The politically neutral Conseil de l’Entente could revive urgently needed security partnerships among Sahel and coastal states. Security and... →
Mali, Mauritania and Senegal must unite against cross-border terrorism
23rd July 2025 The threat of a terrorist blockade of Mali’s Kayes and Nioro towns would be disastrous for all three countries. Western Mali, bordering Mauritania... →
South Africa and Nigeria need opposite approaches to their informal sectors
22nd July 2025 Governments should harness the potential of informality as a bridge rather than a barrier to building economic resilience. Nigeria and South Africa... →
Trump’s Africa summit: outsourcing America’s immigration problem?
21st July 2025 The US president reportedly asked the five African nations at his summit to accept third-country asylum seekers. United States (US) President... →
Africa needs a voice on information integrity and media freedom
18th July 2025 South Africa’s G20 presidency shouldn’t drop the baton passed by Brazil on this crucial issue that underpins good governance. As leaders of the... →
SA’s Special Investigating Unit shows how corruption can be beaten
15th July 2025 In South Africa’s struggling anti-corruption landscape, leadership and operational independence are among the factors enabling the unit’s success.... →
Lake Chad Basin’s military bases in ISWAP’s crosshairs
14th July 2025 Remote and poorly resourced outposts are soft targets for attacks, and a weak point in regional counter-terrorism efforts. At least 15 confirmed... →
Regional trade could focus South Africa’s muddled foreign policy
11th July 2025 Coalition governance is messy, but parties should be able to agree on prioritising economic growth and trade into Africa. South Africa’s Government... →
Critical minerals and tech dependency – a key G20 issue for Africa
10th July 2025 As global powers and the tech industry compete for African minerals, the continent needs tech diplomats to negotiate fairer deals. Thirty percent... →
Brics Summit 2025: will slow and steady actually win the race?
9th July 2025 A back-to-basics approach may be needed to reverse the bloc’s flagging momentum. The recently concluded BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio took place... →
Sahel militants turn civilian drones into deadly weapons
8th July 2025 As armed groups shift away from direct confrontations with the military, commercial drones are increasingly used to carry out attacks. Terror... →
Will the US brokered Rwanda-DRC deal pave the way for peace?
7th July 2025 Domestic power struggles between President Tshisekedi and former President Kabila will likely complicate difficult negotiations with M23. Recent... →
Africa must help steer the world away from deep-sea mining
7th July 2025 Unilateral deep-sea mining, such as that planned by the Trump administration, could have grave impacts on Africa. Under President Donald Trump, the... →
COP30’s uphill battle to shift from gender rhetoric to action
4th July 2025 Gender-responsive policy is vital for climate resilience, but that requires actionable and better resourced plans. Women and girls make up 80% of... →
Strengthening women’s political participation in Guinea
2nd July 2025 Current efforts to restore constitutional order must also promote the effective inclusion of women in public affairs. Four years after the coup... →
Lake Chad Basin governments should redouble efforts against ISWAP
2nd July 2025 ISWAP’s hunt for resources is eroding the ability of communities in northern Cameroon to withstand economic hardship. Since 2021, Islamic State... →
Does SADC’s post-conflict reconstruction plan marginalise transitional justice?
1st July 2025 Without several amendments to its draft framework, SADC will struggle to help member states address their abusive pasts. The Southern African... →
Africa must not miss the boat on the WTO fishing subsidies deal
30th June 2025 Despite the high cost of illegal fishing, only a third of African countries have signed the landmark agreement that will soon take effect. The... →
Nigeria’s North Central violence reveals systemic state failure
27th June 2025 Durable solutions to end deadly attacks in Benue State will remain elusive if the crisis continues to be misdiagnosed. Nigeria’s North Central... →
South Africa’s National Dialogue: putting the cart before the horse
25th June 2025 Dialogue cannot be effective without first properly assessing what's wrong and how it can be fixed. The National Dialogue announced by President... →
How will the Iran conflict impact Africa?
25th June 2025 The conflict in Iran may seem far away, but it’s creating volatility that African leaders must act on urgently. Israel, Iran and the United States’... →
Violent extremism erodes local climate resilience in the Sahel
23rd June 2025 Jihadist groups and militarised counter-terrorism responses have weakened traditional approaches to resolving climate disputes. The Sahel is one of... →
African refugees bear the brunt of shifting global politics
23rd June 2025 On World Refugee Day, displaced Africans face the worst conditions yet as conflict and disasters increase, aid plummets and borders tighten. The... →
Can a new leader elevate the Hawks?
19th June 2025 To effectively tackle serious crime, South Africa’s special police investigation unit requires a strong leadership team. The process to appoint a... →
Africa can benefit from new global climate alliances
18th June 2025 In the wake of America’s climate commitment reversals, Africa must make the most of its solid partnerships with Europe and China. United States... →
Foreign fishing vessels plunder Namibia’s horse mackerel
17th June 2025 The country’s rich stock is being illegally harvested by foreign-flagged vessels licensed to fish in Angolan waters. Just past midnight, Namibia’s... →
Ethiopia and South Africa: shared struggles in transitional justice
17th June 2025 The key lesson is that transitional justice is not an event but an ongoing process that ends only when its goals are met. A little over a year... →
