The Regional Security Imperative to Protect the Congo BasinThe Regional Security Imperative to Protect the Congo Basin

Coastal West African countries can strengthen resiliency to the threat of violent extremism by enhancing a multilayered response addressing local, national, and regional priorities.

Demystifying External Actor Influence in Africa’s Technology Sector

Demystifying External Actor Influence in Africa’s Technology SectorTo mitigate vulnerabilities from foreign control over the supply of critical technological infrastructure, African countries should prioritize cybersecurity, diversity, and competition within the tech sector.

Topic in Focus
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Sahel In Focus

The Sahel has seen the most rapid growth in violent extremist activity of any region in Africa over the past two years. This In Focus page provides a series of Africa Center analyses of Sahel trends and security dynamics.

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: Sahel Security Trends
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The military junta in Mali has alienated regional and international security partners amid escalating violence by militant Islamist groups, leading to a spike in civilian fatalities.

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Mounting crimes against civilians and abuse of civil liberties stemming from the security crisis in Burkina Faso are fueling a worsening humanitarian situation. The civilian death toll linked to violent extremist groups and the Burkinabe security forces has more than doubled from 762 in 2020 to 1,418 in 2022 and 1,312 in the first half of 2023. The violence displaced 2 million inside the country in 2023. The junta has stifled civil liberties penalizing citizens who dare to openly criticize it.