Arms and Military Affairs

Captain Ibrahim Traoré ascended to the helm of Burkina Faso in September 2022, following a significant coup that unseated Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba. Ironically, Damiba had only recently orchestrated his own coup against former president Roch Marc Kaboré earlier that same year. Such a rapid succession of leadership changes paints a vivid picture of the political turbulence enveloping the nation. Since Traoré’s rise, he has garnered considerable admiration for his impassioned anti-colonial declarations. His sharp…

In 2002, the European Union instituted sanctions against Zimbabwe’s defense sector, a move triggered by instances of electoral malpractice and human rights violations. The EU's embargo specifically targets arms shipments rumored to support internal repression. This decision was solidified following a European Council meeting held on February 18, signaling a persistent commitment to uphold human rights and democratic values. The European Union’s approach to these restrictive measures has been gradual, aimed at fostering…

The M23 rebel group has recently made headlines by calling for direct peace negotiations with the Congolese government, following their seizure of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province. This development has ignited yet another chapter in an enduring saga of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In their statement, M23 asserted that their entry into Bukavu aimed to "restore security" and "aid the local population." This declaration raises an eyebrow, considering the group’s controversial history. They…

Since the military coup in Niger in July 2023, former president Mohamed Bazoum and his wife have remained confined in a distressingly precarious situation. Their prolonged detention serves as a grim reminder of how swiftly political fortunes can shift and the consequent havoc it wreaks on lives. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent authority charged with scrutinizing cases of wrongful confinement, has labeled the incarceration of Bazoum and his spouse as arbitrary. Their conclusion…

In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the humanitarian community, the military junta in Niger has issued an expulsion order for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Strikingly, they provided no official rationale for this decisive action, leaving many to speculate about the motivations behind it. The ICRC has been a steadfast presence in Niger since 1990, tirelessly delivering crucial healthcare services to over 120,000 individuals affected by armed conflict. Their commitment to alleviating…

President Paul Kagame has firmly rejected the assertions made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa concerning the turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a spirited response, Kagame accused Ramaphosa of twisting the narrative surrounding their discussions. This heated exchange comes on the heels of Goma, a strategic city, falling under the control of M23 rebels, a move that has sent shockwaves through the region. With a tone that resonated with frustration, Kagame did not pull any punches when addressing…

A new era is dawning in the realm of U.S.-Africa relations, and one can almost hear the gears of change grinding into motion. Yet, before we pop the confetti, it's important to note that the current administration’s policies are still taking shape, and this process won’t yield fruit overnight. Still, the impact of several Executive Orders that Donald Trump signed in the nascent days of his presidency might just reverberate across the African continent like a thunderclap in a hot, muggy summer. During his Senate confirmation…

In a move that has sent ripples of optimism through the financial markets, Gabon's transitional government declared that presidential elections are set to take place on April 12, 2025. This announcement marks a significant step towards restoring civilian governance in a country that has seen its fair share of turmoil. Just picture it: a nation where military tanks once rolled through the streets under the leadership of General Brice Oligui Nguem, who led a coup against former president Ali Bongo in 2023, following a…

In a poignant ceremony held in Cape Town, the memories of hundreds of South African soldiers, predominantly black men, who valiantly fought and died during World War One have been brought back to light with the unveiling of a striking new memorial. Surprisingly, after returning from the front lines in a world torn apart by war, these brave souls were largely forgotten, lost in the shadows cast by British colonialism's discriminatory policies and the later oppressive apartheid regime that stained South Africa’s history. The…

In a tragic turn of events, human rights organizations are up in arms over a recent series of army airstrikes in Nigeria's northeast region, where military forces have been embroiled in a longstanding conflict against various armed insurgents. These air raids, described as "accidents" by military leaders, have led to the heartbreaking deaths of at least 15 innocent civilians—an event that has sparked outrage and disbelief among local communities and international observers alike. General Christopher Musa, the army chief, is…