Militant Islamist Groups Advancing in Mali

Militant Islamist Groups Advancing in MaliThe recent militant Islamist attack in Bamako is part of a broader push by violent extremist groups into southern Mali and reflective of the deteriorating security in Mali under military rule.

Recalibrating Coastal West Africa’s Response to Violent Extremism

Recalibrating Coastal West Africa’s Response to Violent ExtremismCoastal West African countries can strengthen resiliency to the threat of violent extremism by enhancing a multilayered response addressing local, national, and regional priorities.

Topic in Focus
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Russia in Africa

Russia has arguably expanded its influence in Africa in recent years more than any other external actor. This In Focus page provides a series of Africa Center analyses of Russia’s engagements in Africa.

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: Police Sector Reform
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China’s expanded police engagements in Africa could have potentially far-reaching consequences for African security governance. In China, party loyalty is formalized with security forces serving as instruments of the CCP. Uncritical application of China’s model of absolute party control in Africa could undermine military and police professionalism.

A police officer inspects a matatu, a public minibus in Kenya.

Kenya has assembled a national Taskforce on Police Reform to strengthen the National Police Service’s efficacy and transparency. To be successful, the taskforce must welcome community participation in the reform process and work to foster greater governmental ownership of the national policing reform agenda. It must also implement new regional policing standards that have emerged across East Africa and within the African Union.