![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/region-africa_01.jpg)
Latest Articles about West Africa
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/JNIM-Attack-Togo.png)
Brief: Togo Resurfaces as Conflict Zone After JNIM Overruns Border Military Base
Executive Summary: Group for Supporters of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) took over Kpekakandi Base in northern Togo on July 20. This represents an expansion of the group’s operational focus in the area toward Togo, moving beyond their primary zone of activity along Burkina Faso’s border... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/wagner-mercenaries-in-africe-july-2024-640x360.jpg)
Wagner Suffers Another Military Setback in Africa, This Time in Mali
Executive Summary: On July 27, the Wagner Group, the notorious Russian private military company (PMC), suffered substantial losses while stationed in Mali to combat terrorist threats in the region. Kyiv’s Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense (GUR) issued a statement linking Ukraine to the... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Deby-and-Putin-January-2024-640x395.jpg)
Russia Works to Displace French Influence in Chad
Executive Summary: Mahamat Idriss Déby, Chad’s new president, has voiced interest in increasing cooperation with Moscow amid creeping Russian influence throughout the Sahel. Any move by the young president toward replacing French influence with a Russian presence will likely be met with strong resistance from... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Bakura-640x361.jpg)
Brief: Three Years After Death of Shekau, Boko Haram Appears to Gain on ISWAP Under Leadership of Bakura
Executive Summary: The faction of Boko Haram once led by Abubakar Shekau is under the leadership of a commander named Bakura Doro, who has managed to win territory from rival jihadist group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which is generally understood to be... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Militants-640x357.png)
Brief: Islamic State Spokesman Emphasizes African Focus
Executive Summary Islamic State’s (IS) spokesman hailed the group’s African “provinces” for their sustained expansion. IS has been able to continue to opportunistically consolidate its presence in Africa while global attention is concentrated elsewhere. While IS has focused on the Israel–Hamas conflict to some extent,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/niger-russian-flag-1-640x360.jpg)
Niger Cozies Up to Russia and Walks Away From the West
Executive Summary Russia is actively expanding ties with Niger’s military junta to consolidate control over resource-rich assets and to push out Western influence. Moscow has now signed multiple agreements to provide security guarantees to Abdourahamane Tchiani and potentially take over the rights to several Nigerien... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ISWAP-Bomber-640x358.jpg)
Brief: ISWAP Suicide Truck Bombers Target Nigerian Supercamps in Northeast
Executive Summary Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) aims to break its ongoing stalemate with Nigerian forces by deploying suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIEDs). This represents the first time in five years that ISWAP has used SVBIEDs, with at least four bombings occurring... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IS-in-Africa-640x417.png)
Brief: East Africa More Likely Than West Africa to Emerge as Jihadist Foreign Fighter Hotspot
Executive Summary: A flood of foreign fighters to IS provinces in Africa is unlikely, but East Africa is more primed than West Africa to see an inflow of jihadists from around the world due to cultural differences and the harsh environment of the Sahel. After... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Students-640x427.jpg)
Brief: Nigerian Bandits and Former Shekau Faction Likely Behind Recent Abductions
Executive Summary Nigeria struggles to provide security to its population, though efforts like the use of artificial intelligence to track militant movement patterns may aid the government in the future. On March 7, bandits in Nigeria's Kaduna State abducted an estimated 280 students from a... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lavrov-in-niger-640x427.jpg)
Moscow Expands Military Influence in Africa
Executive Summary: Russia’s advances in Africa are moving to a new political-strategic level by establishing further military and economic ties across the continent. Moscow has long worked to gain influence across the Sahel and is now aiming to establish footholds throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the... MORE