conflict

In a recent address at the African CEO Forum 2025 held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, President Cyril Ramaphosa sparked considerable discussion with his remarks regarding those who have fled South Africa. "Those people who have fled are not being persecuted. They are not being hounded. They are not being treated badly," he asserted, presenting a stark view on a deeply complex issue. What could lie beneath the surface of such claims? Perhaps it is worth examining the myriad experiences of those who feel forced to leave seeking…

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has sounded the alarm: a staggering number of individuals in West and Central Africa are grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. Amidst a backdrop of armed conflict, widespread displacement, economic turmoil, and relentless extreme weather, the region teeters perilously on the edge of a humanitarian crisis. From June to August alone, over 36 million individuals faced challenges in meeting even their most basic food requirements. Alarmingly, projections indicate that this figure could…

In a significant development, the inaugural group of white South Africans has been granted refugee status through a program initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Departing from Johannesburg, this U.S.-funded charter flight carried 49 individuals, marking a unique moment in the ongoing conversation about race, privilege, and identity in South Africa. The Afrikaners—comprising a white minority with roots in Dutch, German, and French ancestry—have historically played a pivotal role within South Africa’s segregated…

In recent days, Tripoli has witnessed a devastating surge in violence, leaving significant portions of the city in shambles. Civilians find themselves caught in the crossfire, tragically losing their lives, while the war-torn landscape invites deeper scrutiny into Libya’s precarious political and security landscape. What does it take for a nation, once brimming with hope, to descend into chaos? The assassination of a prominent militia leader triggered a series of clashes across multiple districts, prompting hundreds of…

After months of stalemate and escalating humanitarian crises, a glimmer of hope emerges in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Yet, our optimism must be tempered by the lessons of the past. How many times have we seen initiatives crumble, leaving communities in despair? As Paul-Simon Handy, East Africa Regional Director for the Institute of Security Studies, astutely observes, faltering African interventions have inadvertently paved the way for global actors to step into a role of greater influence. It was under the…

In a decisive move, the military junta governing Mali has declared the dissolution of all political parties. This bold announcement emphasizes the junta’s commitment to initiating a “reform process” and signals intentions to draft a new law aimed at regulating the political landscape in the nation. This decision follows a national conference where political parties reportedly conferred upon military leader Assimi Goita a five-year presidential term. Goita, who assumed power after a series of coups in 2020 and 2021, now…

The European Union finds itself at a significant crossroads in its relationship with the Sahel region. An urgent call for a transformative political strategy has been articulated in an open letter to the EU Vice President by Human Rights Watch. They assert that the "Integrated Strategy in the Sahel," which was introduced in April 2021, has unfortunately grown antiquated, especially in the wake of recent military coups in the central Sahel. Why, one might ask, does this matter? The Sahel, a vast stretch of land encompassing…

In a surprising revelation, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue recently took to X to discuss the U.S. government's proposal to deport African migrants to Equatorial Guinea. While no binding agreement has emerged from these discussions, Mangue's statement raises many questions and concerns in his home country. "What does it mean for our nation to accept these migrants?" This is a sentiment echoed by numerous Equatorial Guineans who worry about the implications of such a decision. Anxieties loom large, particularly…

In a significant development, Ireland, along with five other nations, has voiced its concerns over Israel's proposed expansion of military operations in Gaza, denouncing it as a "dangerous new escalation." The foreign ministers of Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain came together to express their "grave concern" regarding the anticipated military actions. They articulated that such escalation would "only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten…

Northeastern State’s Unyielding Fight Against ISIS Without International Aid AXADLE, Somalia, May 5 – The rugged terrains of the Cal Miskaad mountains in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Northeastern State region have been the backdrop for a daunting military campaign. For six arduous months, Northeastern State has been battling the looming threat of the Islamic State group, without a single cent of international financial aid. Surprising? Perhaps. But this is the…