November 08, 2023
Liberia: Intense Rivalry Makes Transparency Vital in Liberia's Runoff Election
As campaigning opens for the presidential runoff, several concerns from the first round of voting must be addressed. Read more »
November 06, 2023
Ghana: Ghana's Sophisticated Artisanal Firearms Trade Needs Regulating
A controlled legal market for craft arms manufacturing could curb the growing threat posed by these weapons. Read more »
October 24, 2023
Nigeria: Banditry On the Border Needs Joint Nigeria-Niger Efforts
The two countries must put their political differences aside to stop the violence that is devastating border communities. Read more »
October 19, 2023
West Africa: Ecowas Support Remains Crucial for Guinea's Peaceful Transition
Restoring a civilian government in Niger is important, but so too are the transitions in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Read more »
October 12, 2023
Guinea: Guinea's New Constitution - a Platform for Political Stability?
Legal reforms don't guarantee stability - but step one is getting the process and content right for a new constitution. Read more »
October 04, 2023
West Africa: Kidnappings in the Sahel – a Favoured Weapon of War
Insurgents use kidnapping to recruit, spy and grow in Africa's already unstable Sahel region. Read more »
October 03, 2023
Cameroon: Time to Resolve Cameroon's Persistent Yet Forgotten Crisis
The country is no closer to settling the destabilising seven-year Anglophone crisis that has claimed thousands of lives. Read more »
September 26, 2023
Gambia: The Gambia Redoubles Efforts to Scupper Maritime Drug Trafficking
By teaming up with the EU's Seaport Cooperation Project, can the country disrupt the rising cocaine trade? Read more »
September 18, 2023
West Africa: Cote d'Ivoire Must Cut Ties Between Terrorists and Illicit Markets
The current calm in the north provides a window to dismantle extremists' sources of finance, supplies, and recruits. Read more »
September 06, 2023
Ghana: Ghana By-Elections Yield Vital Lessons for 2024 National Polls
From an absence of violence to large-scale vote buying, the outcomes of two recent elections cannot be ignored. Read more »
September 05, 2023
Benin: Benin Must Target the Illicit Activities That Enable Violent Extremism
Authorities should consult communities on how to break the ties between smugglers, hunters and violent extremist groups. Read more »
August 28, 2023
Africa: Niger - Another Symptom of Africa's Weak Crisis-Response Capacity
As intergovernmental organisations grapple with security problems, it's time to review the African Peace and Security Architecture. Read more »
August 22, 2023
West Africa: West Africa's Sea Turtle Population in Deep Water
Sea turtles will remain a target unless viable alternative livelihoods are created for fisher communities. Read more »
August 16, 2023
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso's Ambitious Move to Depoliticise Govt
New legislation targets the clientelism and political patronage that have plagued public service delivery for decades. Read more »
August 14, 2023
Africa: Why Nigeria's Bandits Are Recruiting Women for Gunrunning
In a strategy honed by Boko Haram, bandits are enlisting women for arms trafficking in Nigeria's north-west. Read more »
August 09, 2023
West Africa: ECOWAS Must Look Beyond the Use of Force in Niger
Reports that the coup was triggered by rivalries and personal interests offer room for political manoeuvre and constructive dialogue. Read more »
August 03, 2023
West Africa: Turning Away From Terrorism - Lessons From the Lake Chad Basin
Nearly a decade of experience managing Boko Haram defectors is invaluable for West Africa and the Sahel. Read more »
July 25, 2023
Cote d'Ivoire: Has Cote D'Ivoire Found the Solution to Violent Extremism?
The threat isn't over, but the spread has been contained by adapting and balancing military and social responses. Read more »
July 06, 2023
Africa: MINUSMA Leaves Mali - Will Regional Leaders Step Up On Security?
The UN mission's withdrawal opens the door for assertive political leadership by ECOWAS and the AU. Read more »
June 30, 2023
Nigeria: President Bola Tinubu Tackles Nigeria's Economy
While Tinubu's reforms are a positive step forward, these shouldn't plunge citizens further into poverty or violate the rule of law. Read more »
June 27, 2023
Africa: Boko Haram Brings IEDs Back to Cameroon
Addressing the terror group's use of improvised explosive devices must include more intelligence and awareness raising. Read more »
June 22, 2023
Senegal: Avoiding the Worst-Case Scenario in Senegal
Extreme positions taken by all sides of the political spectrum make resolving the crisis more difficult. Read more »
June 20, 2023
West Africa: Rising Tides Threaten Low-Lying Coastal West Africa
Protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems can reduce the development and safety risks that vulnerable communities face. Read more »
June 12, 2023
Africa: Civilian-State Security Cooperation in Benin and Togo - a Double-Edged Sword
Civilians can help defeat violent extremists, but their continued support depends on authorities guaranteeing their safety. Read more »
June 09, 2023
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone At a Crossroads Ahead of June 2023 Polls
New electoral laws, high youth unemployment and low trust in government could be decisive in this month's polls. Read more »