Arms and Military Affairs

The Tragic Death of Mariam Cisse: A Social Media Star’s Call for Stability in a Turbulent Mali In the heart of Mali’s tumultuous northern region, a young woman’s vibrant life has been extinguished, leaving behind a wake of grief and outrage. Mariam Cisse, a digital content creator known for her passionate support of the military, was brutally abducted and executed by armed assailants, shocking a nation already reeling from a decade of insecurity and violence. A Voice for the People Only in her 20s, Cisse had garnered over…

Struggle for Stability: The Ongoing Conflict in Nigeria's Borno State In the early hours of a recent morning, a deadly pre-dawn raid shook the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, reminding the world of the ongoing turmoil that characterizes this region. Fighters affiliated with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched an audacious assault on army positions in two strategically important towns, a move that highlights both the vulnerability of state forces and the ever-present threat posed by these militants.…

Burkina Faso's Human Rights Crisis: The Detention of Aid Workers Raises Alarm In the heart of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, a troubling storm is brewing that threatens not only the humanitarian efforts crucial to the nation but also the very fabric of its governance. Recently, several aid workers from a Netherlands-based non-governmental organization (NGO) found themselves enveloped in a web of serious accusations, as the government detained them on charges of spying and treason. This incident has raised serious…

Benin Faces Growing Security Threats: A Call for Collective Action In a somber moment for a nation typically celebrated for its stability, Benin has found itself reeling from a deadly attack on a police station near its border with Nigeria. The incident, which took place on October 5, resulted in the tragic loss of several members of the security forces and sent ripples of fear and uncertainty through communities already grappling with rising violence. From Stability to Strain For decades, Benin has stood as a beacon of…

Why Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado remains a conflict zone eight years on: beyond bullets and boots October marks the eighth year since an insurgency erupted in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, transforming a once-quiet coastal region into one of Africa’s most persistent and destabilising conflicts. Attacks continue on a near-daily basis, villagers and analysts say, even as Maputo leans heavily on military responses — deploying national forces, foreign troops and private security contractors to regain control. A…

Echoes of Dissent: The Rising Tide of Political Oppression in Mali The sun hung low over the bustling streets of Bamako, casting a warm glow on a city grappling with the shadows of repression. Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara stood before a somber court, his fate teetering on the edge of a judicial gavel. As the judges denied his bail application, the chilling message resonated beyond the courtroom walls: dissent in Mali will not be tolerated under the military junta that has ruled with an iron fist since 2021. A Voice…

From Power to Peril: The Stunning Fall of Joseph Kabila In a shocking turn of events, the once-mighty Joseph Kabila, who ruled the Democratic Republic of the Congo for almost two decades, has been sentenced to death in absentia by a military court. This unprecedented ruling has ignited a firestorm of debates both within the country and around the globe, raising questions about accountability and justice in a nation long plagued by cycles of violence and corruption. A Legacy of Controversy Joseph Kabila’s presidency, which…

MSF Suspends Medical Services in Northern Mozambique as Violence Surges Mozambique’s conflict-scarred Cabo Delgado province has seen a sharp escalation in violence that has forced Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to suspend operations at a key district hospital, the international medical charity said Friday. The halt in services comes after weeks of armed incursions that have killed civilians, driven thousands from their homes and severed access to lifesaving health care in an already fragile region. Immediate disruptions…

Namibia sends troops and helicopters as fire devours a third of Etosha National Park Wind-driven flames have ripped through roughly one-third of Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s most important wildlife reserves, prompting Namibia to deploy helicopters and hundreds of additional troops to bolster firefighting efforts. The blaze — believed to have started at a charcoal production site outside the park — has killed wildlife, shredded grazing and breeding ground, and prompted sharp criticism of the government’s…

Reflections on Guinea's Constitutional Reform: A Prelude to Power? As the sun rose over Guinea on a recent morning, streets that typically buzz with vibrant life grappled with a quiet tension. The nation prepared to vote on a constitutional referendum that, if passed, could dramatically reshape its political landscape. The stakes, however, seem weighted against the spirit of democracy. A Shift in Governance Proposed changes to Guinea’s constitution would extend presidential terms from five to seven years and open the door…