Members of Tunisia’s security forces stand outside the closed entrance to the headquarters of Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6.
Members of Tunisia’s security forces stand outside the closed entrance to the headquarters of Tunisia's Supreme Judicial Council in Tunis, Tunisia, on Feb. 6.

Will Kais Saied Kill Tunisia’s Democracy?

The country that sparked the Arab Spring could be headed back to permanent authoritarian rule.

Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, president of the Economic Community of West African States, (right) makes his way to the airport after addressing the press in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Jan. 31.
Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, president of the Economic Community of West African States, (right) makes his way to the airport after addressing the press in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Jan. 31.

Africa Responds to Burkina Faso’s Coup

Regional organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS suspended the country’s ruling junta. But do they have double standards when it comes to democracy?

A protester walks a camel painted in the colors of the French flag during a mass demonstration to protest sanctions imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States in Bamako, Mali, on Jan. 14.
A protester walks a camel painted in the colors of the French flag during a mass demonstration to protest sanctions imposed on Mali by the Economic Community of West African States in Bamako, Mali, on Jan. 14.

Mali’s Military Doubles Down as Junta Ousts Burkina Faso’s President

West Africa is rocked by yet another coup as the military seizes power in Ouagadougou and holds onto control in Bamako.

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations at Stade d'Olembé in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Jan. 9.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Africa Cup of Nations at Stade d'Olembé in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Jan. 9.

Cameroon Hosts Africa Cup of Nations Amid Ongoing Violence

The soccer tournament is being held in the middle of ongoing conflict—and is still fighting for the world’s respect.

Volker Perthes, U.N. special representative for Sudan, addresses the media in Khartoum, Sudan, on Jan. 10.
Volker Perthes, U.N. special representative for Sudan, addresses the media in Khartoum, Sudan, on Jan. 10.

Sudan’s Future Hangs in the Balance

Demonstrators find themselves at odds with key U.N. and U.S. mediators.

People hold candles and Ethiopian flags during a memorial service for victims of the Tigray conflict in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 3.
People hold candles and Ethiopian flags during a memorial service for victims of the Tigray conflict in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 3.

What’s in Store for Africa in 2022

Ethiopia’s war and other conflicts in the Horn of Africa region will shape the coming year.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during the Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul on Dec. 18.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during the Third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit in Istanbul on Dec. 18.

Turkey Deepens Its Footprint in Africa

Expanding security cooperation and friendly rhetoric are strengthening Ankara’s influence on the continent.

Military officials stand by signs with names of Burkinabe soldiers killed in the attack on a gendarmerie camp at Inata, Burkina Faso, at Gounghin Cemetery in Ouagadougou on Nov. 23.
Military officials stand by signs with names of Burkinabe soldiers killed in the attack on a gendarmerie camp at Inata, Burkina Faso, at Gounghin Cemetery in Ouagadougou on Nov. 23.

Violence Spreads in the Sahel

Burkina Faso’s government resigns amid protests and the military’s failure to counter Islamists.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is pictured on a big screen during an evening news program broadcasting his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at a mall in Beijing on Nov. 30.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is pictured on a big screen during an evening news program broadcasting his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation at a mall in Beijing on Nov. 30.

What Is China’s Future in Africa?

Beijing is scaling back its investments across the continent, but it still has greater economic influence than the United States.

A woman walks past a large poster.
A woman walks past a large poster.

Will Gambia’s Ousted Dictator Influence Its Election?

Yahya Jammeh is still trying to pull the strings in Gambia’s first presidential vote since his fall from power.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center) takes a group photo on a visit to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Dakar, Senegal, on Nov. 20.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (center) takes a group photo on a visit to the Institut Pasteur de Dakar in Dakar, Senegal, on Nov. 20.

Why Can’t Africa Get More Vaccines?

Blinken pledges “Africa is the future,” but vaccine apartheid persists.

A man makes a military salute during a memorial service for the victims of the Tigray conflict organized by the city administration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 3.
A man makes a military salute during a memorial service for the victims of the Tigray conflict organized by the city administration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 3.

Can African Leaders End Ethiopia’s War?

As civil war spreads, Kenya and the African Union are trying to broker a cease-fire.

A member of the Economic Freedom Fighters holds a placard during a march to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority offices in Pretoria, South Africa, demanding that vaccines from Russia and China be supplied to South Africans, on June 25.
A member of the Economic Freedom Fighters holds a placard during a march to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority offices in Pretoria, South Africa, demanding that vaccines from Russia and China be supplied to South Africans, on June 25.

Africa’s Disappointed Demographic

Young people across the continent have been hit hard by the pandemic, lockdowns, and economic stagnation—but their protests have largely been ignored by elderly elites.

Nigerian soldiers patrol outside the Diffa Airfield in southeast Niger, near the Nigerian border, on Dec. 23, 2020.
Nigerian soldiers patrol outside the Diffa Airfield in southeast Niger, near the Nigerian border, on Dec. 23, 2020.

Will the War on Terror Move to Africa?

With jihadist groups on the rise, African leaders from Nigeria to Mozambique are worried about maintaining stability.

Sudan’s ousted President Omar al-Bashir stands inside the defendant’s cage during his trial over the 1989 military coup that brought him to power at a courthouse in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sept. 22, 2020.
Sudan’s ousted President Omar al-Bashir stands inside the defendant’s cage during his trial over the 1989 military coup that brought him to power at a courthouse in Khartoum, Sudan, on Sept. 22, 2020.

Will Sudan Send Bashir to The Hague?

Allowing the International Criminal Court to prosecute a former leader for war crimes could be a pivotal moment in the transition to democracy.

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