ISS, Institute for Security Studies
Sandalwood burn ignites awareness of Kenya’s illegal trade
9th March 2023 In September 2022, a senior Kenyan police officer was arrested when he was found with 13.5 tonnes of sandalwood, worth roughly $430 270, loaded... →
Al-Shabaab on the defensive: is it time to celebrate?
8th March 2023 Three months after reclaiming the presidential office, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resolved to root out al-Shabaab from Somalia. The new administration... →
New targets needed to manage West Africa’s military transitions
7th March 2023 Since August 2020, five coups have occurred in three West African countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau have... →
Breaking down the BRIC wall between South Africa-US relations
6th March 2023 The official diplomatic line on South Africa-United States (US) relations often points to ‘cordial’ ties – a position supported by the balance of... →
Shades of grey: FATF lists South Africa and Nigeria
3rd March 2023 The greylisting of South Africa last month by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has made waves in the country, occupying substantial media... →
Eastern DRC’s peace plans must prioritise humanitarian aid
2nd March 2023 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has struggled with a multifaceted humanitarian crisis since the 1990s. The situation worsened in the... →
Cross-border cooperation could curb kidnappings in Mozambique
1st March 2023 Kidnapping for ransom has been rife in Mozambique for almost two decades. Asian businessmen or their descendants and relatives are the most common... →
Organised crime is infecting African and global supply chains
28th February 2023 Transnational organised crime is usually associated with violent mafia-style groups that traffic drugs, people, arms and wildlife. Less dramatic... →
Africa shouldn’t ignore Russia’s destabilising influence
27th February 2023 As the world marks the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, it has been suggested that Africa needs a common approach... →
In Niger’s Tillabéri, insecurity takes a toll on women and girls
24th February 2023 The security crisis in Niger’s south-western Tillabéri region is taking a heavy toll on local communities. The Armed Conflict Location and Event... →
Security must be part of South Africa’s energy rescue plan
22nd February 2023 South Africa’s energy situation is dire, and a timeous rescue plan is all that stands between citizens and catastrophe. A key part of that plan is... →
Will Nigeria’s next president answer to the public?
21st February 2023 With just five days left before Nigeria’s federal elections on 25 February, citizens are weighing up their choices as they prepare to select a new... →
Is Malawi’s Chakwera actively stifling his corruption buster?
17th February 2023 Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, who came into office with a halo over his head, seems to be digging himself ever deeper into trouble with his... →
Record numbers of displaced Africans face worsening prospects
15th February 2023 Across many parts of Africa, conflict, political violence, climate change and food insecurity are converging to forcibly displace more Africans... →
COP27’s mixed bag dashes high expectations
14th February 2023 Sharm el-Sheikh is a famous venue for agreements and is sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Peace’ with its history of Palestine-Israel summits.... →
Financial independence is key to stronger AU partnerships
13th February 2023 In a rapidly shifting global order and with continued threats to Africa’s security, the African Union (AU) must strengthen ties with multilateral... →
Mining for energy: Africa must seize the green moment
13th February 2023 Africa has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to boost its development through the massive global demand for its fabulous trove of the minerals the... →
Soaring murder rates underline the lack of sound direction for policing
10th February 2023 Recent official crime statistics show that murder rates in South Africa are soaring, reinforcing concerns about the government’s leadership in... →
Eastern DRC peace processes miss the mark
8th February 2023 Leaders of East African countries meeting in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura on 4 February again called for an immediate ceasefire in the eastern... →
An ocean of weapons: arms smuggling to Somalia
7th February 2023 On 6 January, United States (US) command forces intercepted a dhow in international waters between Iran to Yemen carrying over 2 000 AK-47 assault... →
China’s demand for Africa’s donkeys is rising. Why it’s time to control the trade
7th February 2023 The demand for donkey hides in China has greatly increased in recent years and this article discusses the use of such hides in the production of an... →
Resolving political deadlock in Africa’s Great Lakes region
6th February 2023 On 23 January, the Rwandan Air Force fired at a Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) military jet in Goma, claiming it had violated Rwandan... →
Africa’s powerhouses must do more to secure the continent
2nd February 2023 Should Africa’s lead nations – countries with economic and political clout – more actively pursue good governance, peace and stability on the... →
Rwanda expands its protection of Mozambique’s natural resources
1st February 2023 The number of Rwandan soldiers and police fighting terrorism in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province increased from 1 000 in 2021 to 2 500 by the end... →
Can EU investment revive Lake Chad Basin’s economy?
30th January 2023 The European Union (EU) will, on 6 February, finalise the list of priority projects under its Global Gateway initiative in 2023. The plan to... →
ANC call for more police won’t solve South Africa’s crime crisis
27th January 2023 The ‘fight against crime and corruption’ is one of the African National Congress’ (ANC) six priorities for 2023, according to the ruling party’s 8... →
Will legislative elections put Benin’s democracy back on track?
25th January 2023 Benin could be emerging from its most profound political crisis since democracy was introduced in 1990. On 8 January, generally peaceful... →
Malawi must put climate adaptation first
25th January 2023 Drought, flooding and late-onset and erratic rainfall have disrupted food systems and food security throughout Malawi’s history, causing... →
Nigeria’s presidential hopefuls make vague promises on security
24th January 2023 Eighteen presidential candidates will participate in Nigeria’s polls on 25 February. Three stand out – Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All... →
Sergey Lavrov back to Africa with a vengeance
23rd January 2023 To call it a new ‘scramble for Africa’, as some like to do, is clearly hyperbolic. Nonetheless, it can’t be denied that the Big Powers are... →
Ghana’s split Parliament has failed to meet public expectations
19th January 2023 Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1992, Ghana’s Parliament has been dominated by governing party members. In 2020 that changed when –... →
Can China breathe fire into Africa’s economies?
17th January 2023 With continuing global economic uncertainty in 2023, there’s been precious little to cheer about for Africa. However, China’s recent reopening... →
Ubuntu could help push Africa’s free trade agenda
17th January 2023 Applying the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement has always been described as a marathon, not a sprint. This has proven true as... →
How Ruto can transform Kenya’s economy
12th January 2023 Despite William Ruto’s narrow win to become Kenya’s president in August last year, the transition occurred peacefully. Now his challenge is to... →
Africa’s approach to countering terrorism still misses the mark
12th January 2023 At the end of October 2022, the Somali capital Mogadishu suffered another suicide bomb attack, which killed 121 people and injured more than 300.... →
Risks of Burkina Faso’s new military approach to terrorism
10th January 2023 Fifty thousand Burkinabe civilians have joined the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) to fight the violent extremists currently... →
What role for the AU ahead of Tunisia’s elections?
15th December 2022 Tunisia has witnessed several key political developments over the past 18 months that could threaten its status as the Arab Spring’s only... →
Brinkmanship is a losing proposition in the Eastern DRC
15th December 2022 The resurgence of the March 23 (M23) Movement, a non-state armed group mainly comprising Congolese Tutsi fighters, has spurred armed violence and... →
Can by-laws improve safety if they help to finance municipalities?
13th December 2022 Municipalities in South Africa are constitutionally mandated to promote a safe and healthy environment through the administration of local affairs.... →
Free trade and mobility crucial for Africa to prosper
12th December 2022 Regional integration is key for Africa’s prosperity. A continental economic community where goods, services and people move freely can help address... →
Will next week’s US-Africa summit revive relations?
9th December 2022 United States (US) President Joe Biden’s US-Africa summit next week is set to be a big ‘jamboree’. Over three days, around 42 African heads of... →
