ISS, Institute for Security Studies
How ECOWAS can make its new counter-terrorism force effective
25th March 2026 Resourcing is key, but the real test will be whether the brigade can coordinate with the AES Unified Force. In February, the Economic Community of... →
Planning to fail: why SA is not preventing violence and crime
24th March 2026 For the past 16 years, South Africa’s government has not planned for the prevention of violence, particularly interpersonal violent crime. The... →
The Madagascar upheaval – coup, revolution or ‘coupvolution’?
23rd March 2026 Coups in the Sahel set a discouraging precedent for whether Madagascar's military leader will leave office in two years. The Southern African... →
Kenya’s chance to redefine Africa’s role in global ocean diplomacy
20th March 2026 As host of the first Our Ocean Conference in Africa, Kenya could pursue a three-pronged strategy to achieve decisive ocean action. The ocean’s... →
SA needs stronger partnerships, not promises, to curb gender-based violence
18th March 2026 President Cyril Ramaphosa recently declared gender-based violence a national disaster – but what does that mean in practice? Following sustained... →
African ship registries: a safe harbour for shadow fleets?
17th March 2026 The number of high-risk vessels flying African flags has surged, increasing risks to legitimate shipping interests and foreign investment. Sweden... →
Algeria’s return to the Sahel: an opportunity to show AES cohesion
16th March 2026 Although Mali remains sceptical, Niger and Burkina Faso’s thawing relationship with Algeria could pave the way for full re-engagement. Since the... →
AGOA changes add to Africa’s rollercoaster ride of US tariffs
13th March 2026 AGOA was designed to give investors predictability – yet its benefits are now threatened by the turmoil of shifting US trade rules. Like most of... →
Could short-term deals weaken Russia’s enduring influence in Africa?
11th March 2026 Russia’s Sahel approach responds to terrorism and fragile regimes – a very different scenario to its Southern Africa ties. As the war in Ukraine... →
National commissioner must lead on tackling SA police corruption
10th March 2026 The primary responsibility for curbing police corruption lies with SAPS leadership – not external agencies like the Independent Police... →
Congo-Brazzaville’s predictable election masks a brewing succession battle
9th March 2026 The growing pool of disaffected youth could test the ruling party’s grip on power, especially as succession questions loom. The Republic of the... →
Trump’s African health strategy falters
6th March 2026 The America First Global Health Strategy is being questioned as exploitative. The United States (US) has run into some problems with its America... →
Will the AES Unified Force succeed where the G5 Sahel failed?
5th March 2026 For Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger’s new force to succeed, relations with neighbouring countries need to be rebuilt. The Alliance of Sahel States’... →
Johannesburg’s water crisis clouds Africa’s bold new water vision
4th March 2026 The effects of Africa’s richest city running dry would be disastrous for its residents, the country’s economy, and the continent. African leaders... →
Mozambique’s LNG renewal: opportunity amid security and secrecy risks
3rd March 2026 Improving security beyond the project site is vital, as is ensuring that gas revenues are managed responsibly and transparently. The resumption of... →
ZANU-PF aims to recycle Mnangagwa through a ‘constitutional coup’
2nd March 2026 A constitutional amendment could give Zimbabwe’s president at least another two years in office, continuing Africa’s growing trend of lawfare.... →
US minerals diplomacy tests Sahel countries’ partnership choices
25th February 2026 Can the security-for-minerals approach yield win-win outcomes for Sahelian states beyond diplomatic recognition? In February, United States (US)... →
Can Mauritius save its credit rating?
25th February 2026 For a small, open economy, reputational strength is a core asset – but time is running out and decisive steps are needed. Mauritius has always... →
From SONA to the street: what real dialogue in South Africa looks like
24th February 2026 Whether national or local, dialogue is about listening, and doesn’t work as a once-off, performative undertaking. South African President Cyril... →
African conflicts barely registered at Munich – but China is paying attention
23rd February 2026 Last week’s Munich Security Conference clearly signalled that Africa needs security alliances beyond its traditional partners. The... →
African countries should resist Europe’s assertive migration diplomacy
19th February 2026 European leaders distance themselves from Trump’s hardline immigration tactics, but how different are their approaches? Since the 2015 ‘migration... →
Could Africa's youth bulge help fill Europe's military ranks?
18th February 2026 Military recruitment increasingly reflects the same demand-supply dynamics that shape global civilian migration. In November 2025, Ukraine’s... →
Regional protection scheme needed for Sudan’s displacement crisis
16th February 2026 The massive scale and fast pace of displacement cycles have overwhelmed support systems in Sudan and neighbouring countries. Almost three years... →
Five steps for Africa to thrive under the new US security strategy
13th February 2026 America will remain a vital partner, so African governments should expand, not reduce, their options to advance their interests. Relations with the... →
Continued voter disinterest undermines democratic governance in Benin
13th February 2026 Ahead of the April presidential polls, low voter turnout in legislative and local elections calls for an assessment of electoral laws. Just two... →
The AU has frozen the Somaliland debate: political solutions are needed
12th February 2026 Israel’s Somaliland recognition generated unusual cohesion in Africa and beyond, but condemnation hasn’t delivered a consensual solution. Israel’s... →
Task team a small step towards justice for SA police corruption
10th February 2026 Allegations against the Ekurhuleni-based group expose major gaps in the current approach to overseeing and investigating police corruption. Under... →
Blue justice will be the real test of the Chagos deal
9th February 2026 Politicking in the US and UK distracts from Chagossians’ need to determine their resettlement and role in blue economy governance. The 2025 United... →
US airstrikes were a constrained choice for Nigeria
5th February 2026 The American operation exposes the risks to Africa posed by AFRICOM’s push for relevance under Trump’s second term. On Christmas night 2025, the... →
African elections: will the AU remain chronicler rather than referee?
4th February 2026 The AU’s response to the 2025 elections shows that it prioritises procedure over political competitiveness and democratic substance. Africa’s 2025... →
After a decade of AU reform, collective African security remains elusive
3rd February 2026 The same leaders who routinely invoke ‘African solutions’ seek external conflict mediation and treat African-led initiatives as optional or... →
Lakurawa: Nigeria’s hybrid threat that attracted US missile fire
2nd February 2026 Sustained pressure and cross-border operations, not sporadic airstrikes, are needed to halt the group’s rapid transnational expansion. In January,... →
Lessons for Africa from US military action in Venezuela
2nd February 2026 Had Maduro enjoyed undisputed electoral legitimacy, his capture by a foreign power would have been far more costly. America’s military removal of... →
Decision making under pressure: Africa’s test in 2026
29th January 2026 The greatest risk to Africa’s future is not inaction, but reactive crisis responses that inadvertently lock in long-term constraints. Within just... →
Cameroon’s contested election sends ripples across fragile border economies
29th January 2026 Post-election ‘ghost town’ protests disrupted trade, revealing neighbouring countries’ economic reliance on stability in Cameroon. When Cameroon’s... →
Rwanda: a ‘smart power’ without a regional peace strategy
27th January 2026 Rwanda’s military dominance in the Great Lakes Region deters countries from sending troops to help stabilise eastern DRC. In early December 2025,... →
Did Uganda’s internet shutdowns during elections backfire?
27th January 2026 The state cited the need to prevent disinformation – but the ban may have increased citizens’ mistrust instead. As Uganda emerges from an internet... →
Madagascar’s ‘coup’ prompts contrasting responses
26th January 2026 Whether or not Andry Rajoelina’s toppling was a coup, the key is how long it takes to restore democratic civilian government. Coups have once again... →
SA’s naval-gazing reflects a deep defence and foreign policy disconnect
23rd January 2026 Exercise Will for Peace exposed a disjointed maritime approach that could cost the country dearly. Exercise Will for Peace, the multinational naval... →
Trump’s Africa policy: strategy or shakedown?
21st January 2026 The 2025 US National Security Strategy recasts Africa from partner to price tag in a transactional, resource-driven era of great-power rivalry.... →
2026: Africa’s year to turn climate ambition into action
21st January 2026 Before global constraints become irreversible, countries must show how loss and damage can be measured and linked to development and debt. The 2025... →
