![](/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/region-africa_01.jpg)
Latest Articles about West Africa
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Russia-Africa_Summit-640x427.jpg)
The Kremlin’s Two-Pronged Approach in Africa Ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit
The Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum (Interaffairs.ru, October 17), to be held in Sochi, on October 23–24, is expected to become a regular event of huge importance for Moscow (Summitafrica.ru, accessed October 21). In many ways, this Summit is viewed by the Russian side as... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Emmerson-Mnangawa-and-Vladimir-Putin-EDM-October-15-2019-640x360.jpg)
Sweep of Putin’s African Ambitions Coming into Sharp Focus
Last January, Rosbalt commentator Aleksandr Zhelenin suggested it was a mistake to try to find some “grand political design” in Russia’s deepening involvement in Africa. The explanation for what has been occurring, he said, is “both simpler and more disturbing”: it is a reflection of... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DSC_2592-640x427.jpg)
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/a296942e9f3455cbbd48738bf57a0a89-640x427.jpg)
‘Make Africa Safe’: Russia’s Competitive Advantage in Sub-Saharan Africa
On October 23–24, the southwestern Russian resort city of Sochi will host the first ever Russia-Africa Summit (Ravision2030.com, accessed September 14). Sharing his expectations of the upcoming event, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov underscored its “pivotal importance” and “unprecedented nature.” At the same time,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/funeraladen-640x480.jpg)
Briefs
Yemen: Long-simmering Tensions Between Southern Forces and Pro-Hadi Forces Erupt in Aden Brian M. Perkins Aside from the remote portions of Yemen’s eastern governorates, Southern Yemen has experienced the least amount of direct fighting against the Houthis since UAE-backed forces pushed the group out of... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Shiites-640x432.jpg)
A Shia “Boko Haram” Insurgency or Iranian Proxy in Nigeria? Not So Fast
On July 29, the Kaduna High Court is expected to rule on whether Nigerian Shia leader, Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, will be allowed to leave Nigeria to receive medical treatment (Leadership, July 18). In 2015, al-Zakzaky was severely injured during a crackdown by the Nigerian security forces... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BCIJ-1280x720-640x360.jpg)
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/boko-haram-flag-640x430.jpg)
Boko Haram Factionalization: Who are Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) Fighters in Niger and Chad?
In March, the shura (consultative council) of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) released an audio recording announcing Abdullah Ibn Umar al-Barnawi (a.k.a. “Ba Idrisa”) as ISWAP’s new leader (Twitter.com/A_Salkida, March 4). [1] Ba Idrisa had formerly been a follower of Muhammed Yusuf, who... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/drone-ap-1140x570-640x320.jpg)
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CPPRC-Kyrgyzstan.jpg)
The United Front Work Department Goes Global: The Worldwide Expansion of the Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China
Author’s note: This article follows from an article previously published in China Brief in February 2018: “The United Front Work Department in Action Abroad: A Profile of The Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China” (February 13, 2018). That article presented evidence... MORE