Africa
Coverage across North, West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.
Africa's security dynamics are shaped by legitimacy, resources, and state capacity. Elections, conflicts, and external influence are often symptoms of deeper structural forces.
What we cover
- Elections and political transitions
- Civil wars and insurgencies
- Regional security spillovers
- External influence
- Conflict finance
How we cover it
- Country-level explainers
- Reporting-driven analysis
- Regional briefings
Start here
Latest Videos
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The West African Drug Crisis is Worse than You Think
West Africa is facing a growing drug crisis, with cocaine, tramadol, and cannabis flooding the region.
Simon Whistler · June 9, 2026 · 14:35
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Is There Any Way to Stabilize Mali?
An assessment of whether Mali can be stabilized as jihadist insurgents, separatist forces, and Russia-backed security partners reshape the conflict across the Sahel.
Simon Whistler · May 22, 2026 · 26:44
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Is Eastern Africa Abandoning Democracy?
Across the region, incumbents are rewriting constitutions, jailing challengers, and staging elections that ratify power rather than contest it — with little pushback from abroad.
Simon Whistler · April 7, 2026 · 19:31
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The Islamic State in Mozambique is Evolving
The Islamic State in Mozambique is Evolving — a Fronts video briefing on Africa.
Simon Whistler · January 27, 2026 · 15:37
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Could Sudan's RSF Survive Without the Emirates?
Could Sudan's RSF Survive Without the Emirates? — a Fronts video briefing on Africa.
Simon Whistler · December 2, 2025 · 24:23
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Briefing Room 14.11.25: Kenya's Growing Threat of Intercommunal Violence
Briefing Room 14.11.25: Kenya's Growing Threat of Intercommunal Violence — a Fronts video briefing on Africa.
Simon Whistler · November 14, 2025 · 18:06
Latest Articles
The Egypt-Ethiopia Cold War is Key to the Horn’s Growing Conflicts
Locked in a struggle over the Nile and Red Sea, Cairo is ringing Ethiopia with allies while Addis arms proxies in Sudan — a contest that threatens to fuse the Horn's separate wars into one.
Liam Karr · June 15, 2026 · 12 min read
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Somalia’s New Crisis is Just the Latest Iteration of a Looming Catastrophe
Somalia's new crisis is just the latest iteration of a looming catastrophe. The country's president has been working to consolidate power, leading to clashes...
Paweł Wójcik · June 10, 2026 · 9 min read
How to Understand the Conflict in Mali
The nation of Mali is in a state of chaos, with a complex power struggle that began in 2012. Learn about the four main actors in this war and the history behind
Brant Philip · May 25, 2026 · 16 min read
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What is the US Military Doing in Nigeria?
The US military's involvement in Nigeria raises questions about the Islamic State's presence in the region and its global implications.
Paweł Wójcik · May 22, 2026 · 9 min read
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Somalia's Ongoing Breakup is Destabilizing the Region
Somalia's ongoing breakup is destabilizing the region, with shifting alliances, external meddling forces, and increasingly-powerful terror groups...
Paweł Wójcik · May 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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Mali is on the Brink of Collapse. Here's How We Got Here
Mali is on the brink of collapse as powerful armed groups, including JNIM and FLA, rise up against the government. Here's a look at the crisis and its causes.
Paweł Wójcik · April 30, 2026 · 10 min read
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A Horn of Africa Meltdown is a Terrifying Possibility
The Horn of Africa is on the brink of a catastrophic meltdown, with multiple crises converging around key nations. The region's fragile stability is threatened by a complex web of alliances and rivalries.
Fronts Staff · February 12, 2026 · 10 min read
Sudan’s Dagalo Markets are Destabilizing Africa
In the midst of Sudan's civil war, informal markets known as Dagalo Markets have emerged selling looted goods at bargain prices, destabilizing economies across Africa.
Phillip Carroll · January 26, 2026 · 10 min read
We Spoke to Sudan’s Ambassador about the War. This is What He Said.
An exclusive interview with Sudan's ambassador to Kenya reveals the government's perspective on the fall of El Fasher and the ongoing atrocities of the civil war.
Wilfred Waimiri · January 22, 2026 · 22 min read
2026: Somalia’s Greatest Test.
2026 will be a pivotal year for Somalia, with a contentious presidential election, Somaliland's recognition, regional autonomy disputes, and al-Shabaab's advance all coming to a head.
Evan Moloney · December 29, 2025 · 18 min read
The New Rush for Africa: Can the EU Challenge China's Growing Influence?
The Global South is the site of an intense economic competition for influence, and the EU is scrambling to challenge China's growing dominance across Africa.
Henrik Hannes Herkel · December 15, 2025 · 13 min read
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Uganda’s Elections are a Critical Flashpoint. Here’s What to Know.
On January 15, 2026, Uganda will hold a nationwide general election pitting long-time dictator Yoweri Museveni against opposition leader Bobi Wine, with fears of violent repression looming large.
Evan Moloney · December 11, 2025 · 16 min read