SPOTLIGHT

How Africa’s Legislatures Can Improve Security

Sculpture of a powerful forearm holding a mace in front of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria symbolizes the authority of the legislature on behalf of the people.Legislatures play an integral role in advancing national security by ensuring priorities align with citizen interests, budgets are allocated to meet priorities, and adequate oversight exists for the effective use of these resources.

SPOTLIGHT

Culture, Democracy, and the Fight against Violent Extremism

Culture, Democracy, and the Fight against Violent ExtremismStrengthening democratic institutions and amplifying traditional African values to promote social cohesion and consensus goes hand in hand with the fight against violent extremism.

Topic in Focus
Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

Democratic Republic of the Congo

This page provides a selection of Africa Center analyses that review the roots of the DRC’s ongoing crisis and priorities for reestablishing stability and realizing progress toward a democratic transition.

SPOTLIGHT
Opposition party supporters gather during an opposition meeting two days before Ousmane Sonko's trail in Dakar on March 14, 2023. Thousands of supporters of Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko rallied in Dakar on March 14, 2023, the first of several days of protests as the country prepares for elections in less than a year. Sonko is expected in court TMarch 16, 2023 after being sued by Tourism Minister Mame Mbaye Niang for "defamation, insult and forgery". (Photo by GUY PETERSON / AFP)

Africa’s 2024 Elections: Challenges and Opportunities to Regain Democratic Momentum

Africa’s multifaceted 2024 electoral docket provides opportunities to strengthen multipartyism, transition back to constitutionalism following coups, and rebuff perfunctory exercises.

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Mapping a Surge of Disinformation in Africa

Disinformation campaigns seeking to manipulate African information systems have surged nearly fourfold since 2022, triggering destabilizing and antidemocratic consequences.

Topic in Focus: Migration and Forced Displacement

African Migration Trends to Watch in 2024

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Structural factors continue to drive higher levels of migration within and out of Africa. While this represents a vital source of labor for host countries, irregular migration continues to pose extraordinary risks.

African Shifts: Addressing Climate-Forced Migration & Displacement

Niger/ Refugees from Mali / Malian refugee women wait with their children to receive relief items from UNHCR in Gaoudel, Ayorou district, norhern Niger. They left their villages on the Malian side early February, fleeing fighting betweenTuareg rebels from the Mouvement National de Liberation de l'Azawad (MNLA) and Malian Governmental forces in northern Mali. Many children are suffering from diarrhoea, eye infection, respiratory problems. Most refugees are staying in makeshift shelters exposed to the wind and sun during the day, and cold at night. Access to clean water is a major issue: refugees walk 3 kilometers to collect their water from the Niger river. Local communities have shown extreme generosity in sharing their meagre ressources with the new arrivals. They shared their food, their accomodations. However, Niger, like other countries in the Sahel, is going through a severe drought and a food crisis. 5 million people are at risk of not having enough food this year. Aid agencies like UNHCR are fundraising to be able to assist the refugees and as a result alleviate the local poplations from an addtionnal burden. The refugee agency distributed relief items to 302 Malian families in Gaoudel on February 22. Relief assistance included plastic sheeting, blankets, mats, buckets, jerry cans. UNHCR has identified a safer site further inland to move the refugees away from the volatile border to a proper camp where they will have access to all basic services. Refugees should be moved to the camp sometime in March. / UNHCR / H. Caux / February 22, 2012

By midcentury, climate impacts could drive up to 100 million Africans to migrate within their countries or regionally. Despite speeding urbanization, climate impacts will also force up to 4.2 million people out of coastal cities. Planning for this potential scale of population movement will help reduce vulnerability as well as inspire development opportunities to further sustainable growth across the continent.