Practical Lessons to Improve Stabilization Operations in Somalia
Insufficient operational coordination between local military officials and civilian administrators on stabilization functions is limiting the consolidation of gains in the fight against al Shabaab.
Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa
Chinese firms are present in over a third of all African port developments, some of which could be used for expanded Chinese naval presence on the continent.
Recalibrating Coastal West Africa’s Response to Violent Extremism
Coastal West African countries can strengthen resiliency to the threat of violent extremism by enhancing a multilayered response addressing local, national, and regional priorities.
Africa’s 2025 Elections: A Test of Credibility to Uphold Democratic Norms
Democratic progress will require policymakers and journalists to recognize and prize genuine processes of democratic participation within Africa’s wide ranging 2025 electoral line up.
Topic in Focus: Conflict Prevention or Mitigation
As violence and instability increases in West Africa, governments and international organizations have established early warning and early response (EWER) systems at the regional, national, and local levels. These systems are often limited by a lack of data as well as by problems relating to the flow of critical information and the coordination of effective state responses. To mitigate these issues, policymakers are moving towards an integrated “network of networks” approach.
Arms embargoes can be effective but require regional and international buy-in, adequate monitoring, and the imposition of sufficient costs on actors who evade the sanctions.