This 59th edition of the Peace and Security Council report is the final edition in the current format. This edition includes analyses on Nigeria, Egypt, Somalia, Libya and South Sudan, as well as an open-page article on democracy. The country analysis on Nigeria focuses on militant Islamist group, Boko Haram and the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, whereas the analysis on Egypt looks at the run-up to the presidential elections. The country analysis on Somalia focuses on the country’s constitutional and security problems.

The analysis on Libya addresses the ongoing crisis, specifically the political divisions, security climate and the rising prominence of General Hifter, while the analysis on South Sudan considers the elusive quest for peace in that country – particularly in the wake of the ongoing conflict between supporters of President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar in December. Finally, the open-page article looks at attempts to classify democratic progress in Africa, and argues that democracy should centre on freedom of choice for voters and a greater willingness by leaders to serve the needs of the people.

Edited by Duke Kent-Brown, Institute for Security Studies

The publication of this report is made possible through the support of the Humanity United Foundation and the Hanns Seidel Stiftung. The ISS is also grateful for the support of the following members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.