Students wave a Somali flag during a demonstration in support of Somalia's government following the port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland at Eng Yariisow Stadium in Mogadishu on Jan. 3.
Students wave a Somali flag during a demonstration in support of Somalia's government following the port deal signed between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland at Eng Yariisow Stadium in Mogadishu on Jan. 3.

Turkey Tries Diplomacy in Ethiopia-Somalia Dispute

A dispute over a port in Somaliland has raised tensions in the Horn of Africa.

Brahim Ghali, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SARD) and Secretary-General of the Polisario front, salutes the flag of the SARD ahead of a Polisario congress at the refugee camp of Dakhla, which lies some 100 miles southeast of the Algerian city of Tindouf, on Jan. 13, 2023.
Brahim Ghali, President of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SARD) and Secretary-General of the Polisario front, salutes the flag of the SARD ahead of a Polisario congress at the refugee camp of Dakhla, which lies some 100 miles southeast of the Algerian city of Tindouf, on Jan. 13, 2023.

France-Algeria Tensions Mount over Western Sahara

Paris’s endorsement of a Moroccan plan that enshrines Moroccan sovereignty is angering Algiers.

Demonstrators gather during the End Bad Governance protest in Lagos, Nigeria on Aug. 1.
Demonstrators gather during the End Bad Governance protest in Lagos, Nigeria on Aug. 1.

Nationwide Protests Rattle Nigeria

A year into Bola Tinubu’s presidency, Nigerians are furious with his economic reforms.

A U.N. armored vehicle drives along the Beni-Kasindi road, stronghold of the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces, an armed group originally from Uganda that pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2019 and operates in eastern DRC), on May 9 in Beni territory, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
A U.N. armored vehicle drives along the Beni-Kasindi road, stronghold of the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces, an armed group originally from Uganda that pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2019 and operates in eastern DRC), on May 9 in Beni territory, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Will Conflict in Congo Spread?

The country’s neighbors have a history of violent meddling. Other African leaders may need to step up to keep the peace.

A woman casts her ballot during the 2024 Rwandan general elections at a polling station in Kigali, on July 15.
A woman casts her ballot during the 2024 Rwandan general elections at a polling station in Kigali, on July 15.

Paul Kagame Isn’t Going Anywhere

Rwanda’s forever president wins again in a mostly uncontested election.

The head of head of Niger's military government General Abdourahmane Tchiani (R) and Malian Col. Assimi Goita (L) pose for a photo as they arrive in Niamey on July 6.
The head of head of Niger's military government General Abdourahmane Tchiani (R) and Malian Col. Assimi Goita (L) pose for a photo as they arrive in Niamey on July 6.

Sahel Military Regimes Cement Break from ECOWAS

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger ignore calls to remain as they seek to exit the West African bloc.

Kenyan youths carry flags during the candle light vigil in memory of dead protesters on June 30, 2024.
Kenyan youths carry flags during the candle light vigil in memory of dead protesters on June 30, 2024.

Can Kenya’s Ruto Survive?

After a deadly crackdown and government backtracking on legislation, young Kenyans are still taking to the streets.

Men sit on the railway line near the airport in Kolwezi, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 7, 2018.
Men sit on the railway line near the airport in Kolwezi, a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on May 7, 2018.

Africa’s Critical Mineral Race Heats Up

Competing railway corridors pit the United States against China; Kenya faces a violent crackdown on tax protests.

President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures to colleagues before casting his ballot as members of parliament vote for the President of South Africa during the first sitting of the new South African Parliament in Cape Town on June 14.
President Cyril Ramaphosa gestures to colleagues before casting his ballot as members of parliament vote for the President of South Africa during the first sitting of the new South African Parliament in Cape Town on June 14.

Can South Africa’s Center Hold?

The new coalition government has brought together parties with divergent agendas while keeping radical populists out.

The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, holds a press conference after the start of 100 days of remembrance, as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide, on April 8, in Kigali, Rwanda.
The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, holds a press conference after the start of 100 days of remembrance, as Rwanda commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Tutsi genocide, on April 8, in Kigali, Rwanda.

Rwanda’s Rigged Election

Paul Kagame has banned all but two opposition candidates, ensuring himself another landslide win.

President of the African National Congress (ANC) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) attends the official announcement of the South African general election results in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) National Results Center at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2.
President of the African National Congress (ANC) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) attends the official announcement of the South African general election results in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) National Results Center at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2.

South Africa’s Era of ANC Dominance Is Over

After a stinging election setback, the long-ruling party is assessing its coalition options.

People wait in line to cast their votes in Alexandra township on May 29 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
People wait in line to cast their votes in Alexandra township on May 29 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

What to Watch in South Africa’s Election

If the ANC doesn’t win a majority, how it chooses to form a coalition will be key.

Protesters chant and hold placards against the U.K. deportation flights to Rwanda near Brook House Immigration Removal Centre on June 12, 2022 in London.
Protesters chant and hold placards against the U.K. deportation flights to Rwanda near Brook House Immigration Removal Centre on June 12, 2022 in London.

U.K. Begins Rwanda Deportations

After Parliament overruled the Supreme Court and declared Rwanda safe, Sunak’s government is rounding up asylum-seekers.

Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, transitional president and candidate for the presidential election in Chad, sits after his meeting in the stadium under construction in the Dombao district, in Moundou, on April 25, 2024. (Photo by Joris Bolomey / AFP)
Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, transitional president and candidate for the presidential election in Chad, sits after his meeting in the stadium under construction in the Dombao district, in Moundou, on April 25, 2024. (Photo by Joris Bolomey / AFP)

Chad’s Great-Power Balancing Act

Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Déby courts Russia and expels U.S. troops ahead of elections.

Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.
Ishag Abdullah Khatir, 30 from Geneina in West Sudan whose leg was amputated after he was shot by RSF soldiers, walks through Ambelia refugee camp on April 20 in Adre, Chad.

Will Washington Sanction Sudan’s RSF?

Lawmakers are calling for direct measures against the group’s leader, Hemeti.

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