President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa attends the Business Forum at Lancaster House on Nov. 23, 2022 in London.
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa attends the Business Forum at Lancaster House on Nov. 23, 2022 in London.

What to Watch in Africa in 2024

Elections in South Africa, Senegal, and Ghana could reshape many of the continent’s long-standing democracies.

Supporters of Niger's National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) hold up Niger's flag and the flag of Russia in Niamey on Aug. 26.
Supporters of Niger's National Council for Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) hold up Niger's flag and the flag of Russia in Niamey on Aug. 26.

Coups, Catastrophes, and Great-Power Competition

Africa Brief’s year in review

President of Chad's Transition Council Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (R) waves during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations in N'Djamena on Aug. 11, 2023.
President of Chad's Transition Council Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (R) waves during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations in N'Djamena on Aug. 11, 2023.

Will Africa’s Next Coup Be in Chad?

A constitutional referendum would entrench the Déby dynasty, but N’Djamena’s stance in Sudan is dividing the country’s ruling elites.

A protester wearing a T-shirt in support of the Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso junta leaders gestures during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey, Niger on Aug. 3.
A protester wearing a T-shirt in support of the Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso junta leaders gestures during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey, Niger on Aug. 3.

Sahel Military Governments Seek Confederation

Juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger move to cement a political, economic, and defense alliance.

Incumbent President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi (C) addresses his supporters at the Stade des Martyrs during his first campaign rally as the electoral campaign officially kicks off in Kinshasa on Nov. 19.
Incumbent President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi (C) addresses his supporters at the Stade des Martyrs during his first campaign rally as the electoral campaign officially kicks off in Kinshasa on Nov. 19.

Will the Congolese Opposition Unite?

Many observers believe the only way to defeat President Felix Tshisekedi is to back a single challenger.

A woman walks out of a currency exchange shop displaying a giant U.S. dollar banknote in the Zamalek district of Cairo on Aug. 24, 2022.
A woman walks out of a currency exchange shop displaying a giant U.S. dollar banknote in the Zamalek district of Cairo on Aug. 24, 2022.

Egypt Looks to IMF, Again

The war in Gaza has battered an already struggling economy.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (L) South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend the first session of the G-20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 9.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman (L) South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa (C) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend the first session of the G-20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on Sept. 9.

Saudi Arabia Courts African Leaders

Mohammed bin Salman is touting debt relief and conflict mediation to spread Riyadh’s influence on the continent.

Fisherman near Dubai DP World Djibouti container port
Fisherman near Dubai DP World Djibouti container port

The UAE Faces Pushback on African Investments

Abu Dhabi is investing heavily in ports and land across the continent, but it’s facing public backlash and competition from Beijing.

Then-U.S. President George W. Bush holds Baron Mosima Loyiso Tantoh as Tantoh's mother Manyongo Mosima Kuene Tantoh (L), who suffers from AIDS, and Bishop Paul Yowakim (2nd L) looks on after speaking on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief May 30, 2007 at the White House in Washington.
Then-U.S. President George W. Bush holds Baron Mosima Loyiso Tantoh as Tantoh's mother Manyongo Mosima Kuene Tantoh (L), who suffers from AIDS, and Bishop Paul Yowakim (2nd L) looks on after speaking on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief May 30, 2007 at the White House in Washington.

Will U.S. Abortion Wars End a Successful Foreign Policy in Africa?

Conservatives in Washington have blocked the reauthorization of PEPFAR, endangering the health of HIV-positive Africans.

People wave the Palestinian flag during a protest in solidarity with Gaza in Tunis, Tunisia, on Oct. 21.
People wave the Palestinian flag during a protest in solidarity with Gaza in Tunis, Tunisia, on Oct. 21.

Regional Leaders Fear Spillover From Israel-Hamas War

Arab League chief: “We have a significant worry.”

Aid convoy trucks are seen waiting to cross at Gaza's Rafah border on Oct. 17, 2023 in North Sinai, Egypt.
Aid convoy trucks are seen waiting to cross at Gaza's Rafah border on Oct. 17, 2023 in North Sinai, Egypt.

Why Egypt Won’t Open Its Border With Gaza

Concerns about a refugee crisis, financial strains, permanent displacement, and possible militancy in Sinai worry leaders in Cairo.

A crowd of people carry Palestinian flags as they stage a demonstration in support of Palestinian resistance to Israel in Rabat, Morocco. Buildings and palm trees line the street behind them as the crowd stretches into the distance.
A crowd of people carry Palestinian flags as they stage a demonstration in support of Palestinian resistance to Israel in Rabat, Morocco. Buildings and palm trees line the street behind them as the crowd stretches into the distance.

Israel-Hamas Conflict Tests Abraham Accords

Morocco’s friendly ties with Israel are facing a backlash from some pro-Palestinian citizens as Sudan renews ties with Iran.

Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's coup leader, arrives at the ceremony for the 35th anniversary of Thomas Sankara's assassination, in Ouagadougou, on Oct. 15, 2022. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images
Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso's coup leader, arrives at the ceremony for the 35th anniversary of Thomas Sankara's assassination, in Ouagadougou, on Oct. 15, 2022. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT/AFP via Getty Images

Will Intervention Stabilize the Sahel?

As coups spread across the region, insecurity is growing—and international military involvement could make it worse.

Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Nigeria's Independence from British rule in London on Oct. 1, 1960.
Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Nigeria's Independence from British rule in London on Oct. 1, 1960.

Nigeria’s Unhappy Birthday

As the country marks 63 years of independence, insecurity and corruption continue to drive highly educated Nigerians to live and work abroad.

Tunisian Maritime National Guard officials intercept tiny boats carrying migrants before towing them back to the shore of the Tunisian city of Sfax on June 23.
Tunisian Maritime National Guard officials intercept tiny boats carrying migrants before towing them back to the shore of the Tunisian city of Sfax on June 23.

How Tunisia Became Europe’s Border Guard

Another crackdown is targeting Black Africans seeking to enter the EU.

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