The article by Joseph Siegle and Hany Wahila, published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, explores the democratic implications of Africa’s 2025 elections. In a context of declining democratic norms, ten elections are scheduled across West and Central Africa, many of which are expected to be heavily orchestrated. The authors highlight how incumbent regimes manipulate electoral institutions to retain power. The article stresses the importance of distinguishing genuinely competitive elections from staged ones. Independent observers, media, and civil society play a critical role in defending electoral integrity. These elections will serve as a major credibility test for democracy in Africa.

Politics, Political party, Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Justice, Election, Gold, Human security

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

The report “Armed Groups and the Conflict Economy in National Parks of Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin” examines the growing control of violent extremist groups (notably JNIM and ISSP) over the WAP complex (W, Arly, and Pendjari parks). These groups leverage illicit economies (smuggling, gold mining, poaching) and state absence to impose alternative governance through zakat and protection in exchange for access to natural resources. The report highlights long-standing local grievances, land disputes, weak state presence, and evolving intercommunal tensions. Armed groups use these dynamics to expand toward coastal countries. Relations between communities, park rangers, and the state are tense, often marked by abuse, mistrust, and violence. WAP thus becomes a strategic zone for consolidating armed control and illicit logistics. The report urges a coordinated response blending security, governance, and development strategies to address structural vulnerabilities.

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

Nate Allen’s article, published on May 6, 2025, by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, examines the destabilizing proliferation of military drones across Africa. Due to declining costs and technological accessibility, 31 African states and several non-state armed groups now deploy drones for intelligence, surveillance, and attacks. The analysis identifies four major trends: accelerated procurement, Turkey’s rising influence as a supplier, growing domestic production capacities, and increased usage by non-state actors. The article illustrates drones’ transformative yet limited impact in conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya. Despite offering tactical advantages, drones are less effective against guerrilla tactics and do not replace the need for effective ground forces. Proxy dynamics further dilute decisive outcomes. The author calls for African governments to adopt a nuanced understanding, combining counter-drone capabilities with a comprehensive operational doctrine.

Power, State, Natural ressources, Security, Conflict, Education, Gold, Military activity, Human security, Threat

The report “An Assessment of the Experiences and Vulnerabilities of Pastoralists and At-Risk Groups in the Atakora Department of Benin” explores the root causes of agro-pastoral conflicts and the recruitment strategies of violent extremist organizations (VEOs) in northern Benin. Conducted by Elva Community Engagement in 2022, the study reveals that land reforms, forced sedentarization, socio-political marginalization (particularly of Fulani groups), and intercommunal tensions have been exploited by groups such as JNIM and ISGS. Youth and women are especially vulnerable due to economic exclusion and restrictive social systems. The report also highlights weak local resilience mechanisms and the need for community-driven interventions. Despite rising insecurity, trust in state-led security efforts remains relatively high among local populations.

Gender, Security, Conflict, Political Violence, Education, Human security, Violence, Threat, Soicial sciences, Knowlege production

This report explores the rise, evolution, and fragmentation of armed extremist groups in the Sahel—AQIM, MUJAO, JNIM, and ISGS. It outlines the root causes of their proliferation: weak state presence, social marginalization, environmental pressures, geopolitical interference, and security vacuums. The analysis reveals how these groups adapt strategically, build local ties, and exploit state fragility. The fall of Libya, successive coups, and the withdrawal of international actors (France, the UN) have reshaped the security environment. The report advocates a multidimensional response: inclusive governance, socio-economic investment, stronger regional cooperation, and engagement of traditional leaders. It highlights the growing threat of violence spilling over into West African coastal states and calls for locally rooted, tailored strategies to achieve sustainable peace and resilience in the region.

Politics, Political party, Natural ressources, Security, Jihad, Terrorism, Political Violence, Gold, Violence, Threat

This podcast-article warns against the growing spread of disinformation in West Africa, especially centered around Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s transitional leader. AI-generated deepfakes glorify him as a pan-African hero, widely circulating on social media and fueling polarization. The author highlights the decline of rational discourse, replaced by radical and binary narratives. He stresses the danger this manipulation poses to democracy, social cohesion, and youth mobilization. The piece also denounces repression in Burkina Faso and the departure of educated professionals from the Sahel. Drawing on Thomas Sankara’s legacy, the author calls for critical thinking and warns against youth being exploited by authoritarian figures using digital disinformation as a weapon.

Youth, Réseaux sociaux, Disinformation

Modou Ndiaye's article highlights statelessness in West Africa, particularly in Senegal, where over a million people are stateless and hundreds of thousands at risk. This issue stems from legal gaps, discriminatory nationality policies, border changes, lack of awareness about civil registration, and the absence of automatic nationality transmission. The consequences are severe: lack of access to education, healthcare, and formal employment. The author calls for legislative reforms, modernization of civil registration, awareness campaigns, and the establishment of procedures to determine stateless status, in line with international conventions ratified by Senegal.

Human Rights, Discrimination, Nationality, Statelessness

Since 2011, North and West Africa have experienced escalating violence, averaging 3,300 violent events and 12,600 deaths annually between 2015 and 2019. This trend worsened in 2020-2021, with 6,800 events and 18,000 deaths per year. The epicenter of violence has shifted to Nigeria and the border area between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Civilian-targeted violence has surged by 500% in West Africa since 2016, due to the proliferation of actors such as extremist groups, community militias, and self-defense forces. In 2021, 60% of victims were located within 100 km of a border. The Spatial Conflict Dynamics indicator (SCDi), developed by SWAC/OECD, maps conflict evolution and identifies critical areas, notably Lake Chad, the tri-border region, and Nigeria.

Governance, Boundary, Security, Conflict, Extremism, Violence