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"South Africa"
Recommended research
published by Richard Poplack, Daily Maverick
on May 4, 2021
While the insurgency in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado grows increasingly violent, the unpoliced coastline of Northern Mozambique allows for the trafficking of hundreds of millions of dollars of heroin. The ruling Frelimo party reportedly pockets at least of $100 million of revenue from this trade each year. Efforts to combat the insurgents, who doubt that the government’s deals for natural gas exploitation will benefit all citizens have stalled, worsened by heavy handed tactics of government forces and their allied Russian and South African mercenaries. A better understanding of the dynamics at play, along with a recognition that criminalized power structures seek to protect themselves, will be required to craft adequate responses to the violence.
Recommended research
published by Simone Haysom, ENACT
on February 13, 2020
Urbanization and governance shape the political economy of heroin trafficking in Southern and East Africa. Case studies of heroin trafficking dynamics in capital cities, port towns, interior hubs, and border communities suggest that counter-trafficking efforts should strengthen cross-border intelligence sharing, combat government corruption, consider local communities, address the role of informal transport systems in the narcotics trade, and mitigate the drug trade’s role in fueling violence.
Program Materials
Program materials for the Africa Center's 2019 program, “National Security Strategy Development Workshop: Central and Southern Africa.” Click here for syllabus, readings, and presentation slides.
Spotlight
published by Nate Allen
on April 21, 2025
A revolution in unmanned systems is reshaping the dynamics of Africa’s armed conflicts. Professional militaries must balance the tactical advantages of drones with an understanding of their limitations and risks.
Spotlight
published by Paul Nantulya
on March 10, 2025
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.
Infographic
published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies
on February 18, 2025
Fatalities and violent events linked to militant Islamist groups in Africa sustained near record pace, with the Sahel and Somalia accounting for 79 percent of related deaths.
Infographic
published by Wendy Williams
on February 3, 2025
A sharp restriction in off-continental irregular migration combined with escalating push factors will continue to shape governance and security priorities in Africa and underscore the need for more regional innovation to accommodate intracontinental population movements.
Spotlight
published by Joseph Siegle and Hany Wahila
on January 13, 2025
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.
Spotlight
published by Paul Nantulya
on January 7, 2025
African countries will be looking to recalibrate their strategic partnerships with China to advance African interests as the continent positions itself to exercise greater agency in its external partnerships.
Infographic
published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies
on December 17, 2024
Africa’s persisting conflicts are compounding crises of governance on the continent, straining already fragile regions and opening the door to foreign exploitation through proxy forces, resource trafficking, and information manipulation.
Infographic
published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies
on December 10, 2024
Extensive flooding in more than two dozen African countries due to higher-than-average rainfall has resulted in thousands of fatalities, millions of people displaced, and devastated infrastructure.
Spotlight
published by Paul Nantulya
on December 2, 2024
China is leveraging its military training exercises with African forces to advance China’s expeditionary capabilities and geostrategic ambitions.
