Over the past decade, more than 155,000 deaths have been attributed to militant Islamist groups in Africa. The **Sahel—especially Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—**has become the epicenter of this violence, with attacks surging since 2020. JNIM (linked to al-Qaeda) and ISGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) dominate the region, expanding toward coastal West Africa. Burkina Faso accounts for more than half of recent fatalities, while Mali has suffered over 17,000 deaths since 2020. Niger, destabilized by the 2023 coup, has seen casualties quadruple. Somalia, with al-Shabaab, and the Lake Chad Basin (Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger) also remain deadly hotspots. The report highlights states’ territorial loss, with nearly 1 million km² outside government control, and forced displacement affecting over 3.5 million people. The data underscores the escalating lethality of militant Islamist groups and the urgent need for coordinated responses.

State, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Civil Society

In this article published in March 2025 by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Joseph Siegle analyzes the regional and political drivers of Sudan’s ongoing conflict. He discusses the U.S. designation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as perpetrators of genocide in Darfur, where civilians—mainly from the Masalit ethnic group—have suffered large-scale atrocities. The conflict, a power struggle between RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has attracted competing regional sponsors: the United Arab Emirates back RSF, while Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and others support SAF. Siegle warns of the danger of a prolonged proxy war and emphasizes the need for Sudanese civilians to be central in any negotiated settlement. He calls for all regional actors to reassess their strategic interests to prevent further fragmentation and ensure a viable political resolution.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Conflict, Gold, Threat

Matthew La Lime’s article, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in November 2024, explores the rise of Black Axe, Nigeria’s most notorious transnational criminal organization. Originally a student fraternity, Black Axe has evolved into a global criminal enterprise operating in over 30 countries. Its billions in annual revenue come from cybercrime, money laundering, drug trafficking, and sex work. In Nigeria, Black Axe exerts influence over politics through patrimonial networks, protected by elites who hinder legal prosecution. While international operations like INTERPOL’s Jackal III have made arrests, domestic efforts are largely ineffective due to political interference. The article recommends legal reforms, grassroots mobilization, and enhanced international cooperation to dismantle Black Axe’s power structure and financial flows.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Threat, Illegal activity

The July 2023 military coup in Niger reversed a decade of democratic and socio-economic progress. Under democratically elected presidents Issoufou and Bazoum, Niger had made significant advances in security, economic growth, governance, and press freedom. Since the junta took power, these achievements have deteriorated: a 67% increase in terrorism-related deaths, economic decline, media repression, loss of civil liberties, and decreased transparency. The junta has also strengthened ties with Russia, enabling disinformation and controversial mining concessions. The dissolution of elected institutions and militarization of governance reflect a major crisis in national sovereignty and democratic order. This regression not only destabilizes Niger but has broader implications for West African regional stability.

State, Economic Development, Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Justice, Education, Democracy, Gold, Human security, Medias, Infowar, Information

The infographic titled “Africa’s Unprecedented Urbanization Is Reshaping Its Security Landscape”, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in May 2025, visualizes the impact of rapid urban growth on security dynamics across the continent. By 2050, Africa’s urban population is projected to reach 1.4 billion. The infographic highlights how informal urban settlements are becoming increasingly vulnerable to organized crime, militant activity, gang violence, and rising social tensions. Urban centers like Khartoum, Goma, Bamako, and Maiduguri are emerging as key hotspots of insecurity. The document calls for urban security approaches that prioritize community-based policing, social services, and inclusive governance, warning against heavy-handed or exclusionary strategies that risk further alienating marginalized populations.

Politics, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Urbanisation

This multi-country study examines Education in Emergencies (EiE) across six Sahel countries facing security, humanitarian, and health crises. Based on document reviews and 209 field interviews, it highlights how displaced children face restricted access to quality education and a weakened educational system. EiE funding is inadequate, fragmented, and largely driven by humanitarian actors, with little institutional coordination. The study recommends leveraging best practices (multigrade teaching, e-learning), establishing national EiE coordination agencies, engaging local communities and diasporas through a Trust Fund, and scaling up the integrated territorial approach tested in Niger. Strengthening the capacity of both public and community actors is critical. The report calls for improved governance, structured financing mechanisms, and more systematic emergency education responses to ensure long-term educational resilience in crisis contexts.

Economic Development, Natural ressources, Education, Development, Gold, Soicial sciences, Researh, Knowlege production, Crisis, Funding

In 2024, Africa experienced unprecedented flooding across 27 countries, affecting over 11 million people, causing 2,500 deaths, and displacing 4 million. The most severely affected countries included Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Sudan, and South Sudan. These extreme events, intensified by climate change and El Niño, are becoming more frequent. The report emphasizes that governance is a key factor in vulnerability: the most affected countries are largely categorized as “not free,” with limited disaster response capacity. Poor infrastructure, weak institutional preparedness, and corruption have worsened the impact. The article calls for stronger climate resilience through improved governance, risk prevention policies, and early warning systems. It also links state fragility to environmental shocks and stresses the need for integrated solutions to address compounding humanitarian and climate-related crises.

Power, State, Governance, Natural ressources, Conflict, Education, Gold, Poverty, Threat, Civil Society

In 2024, the number of forcibly displaced people in Africa reached a record high, exceeding 45 million, a 14% increase from the previous year. The majority (over 34 million) are internally displaced. The Sudan emerged as the epicenter of the crisis, with 12.6 million displaced due to fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces. Other severely affected countries include the DR Congo, Somalia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, and Cameroon. Primary causes include armed conflicts, state repression (notably in Eritrea and Rwanda), regional instability, and acute food insecurity. The report emphasizes the growing interlinkage between security and humanitarian crises and calls for greater international support to address the complex political and humanitarian challenges across the continent.

Natural ressources, Security, Peace, Conflict, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat, Civil Society

In 2024, violence by Islamist militant groups in Africa caused an estimated 18,900 deaths, with the Sahel, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin most affected. The Sahel alone accounted for 55% of the total fatalities, notably in Burkina Faso, which has become the epicenter of insurgent activity. The JNIM coalition (linked to AQIM) is responsible for the majority of attacks. Alarmingly, more civilians were killed by Sahelian security forces and their Russian allies than by militants. Violence is rising in Niger, Togo, and Benin, while Somalia, despite a decrease in deaths, remains impacted by Al Shabaab and the Islamic State. Mozambique and North Africa have also seen renewed increases. The report warns that actual figures may be underreported due to media repression. The data illustrates the persistence and adaptability of militant operations across the continent.

Political party, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Political Violence, Gold, Human security, Violence, Threat