Authoritarian Regimes & Africa

Togo has recently undergone significant adjustments within the highest echelons of its military and intelligence services. These leadership changes are drawing attention as President Faure Gnassingbé steers the nation’s security apparatus through evolving regional dynamics and national priorities. The strategic shifts at the command of the army and intelligence sectors signal a renewed focus on […]

Afrique Politique Gabon–Guinée-Bissau : le pari d’une transition maîtrisée Libreville, Thursday, August 20, 2026 – The message emanating from Libreville now signifies more than mere solidarity between two African nations. During the festivities marking Gabon’s 66th independence anniversary, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema extended a resolute commitment to support Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing transition, initiated in Bissau […]

Click to expand Image Forces from Africa Corps, operating under Russian government control, summarily executed nine civilians, including four children, and subjected dozens of others to severe beatings in central Mali during early July 2026. These fighters also looted and set fire to at least eight homes, seemingly in pursuit of individuals believed to be […]

Nearly two months after departing Cameroon for what authorities describe as a “brief private visit to Europe,” President Paul Biya remains out of the country. At 93 years old, the veteran leader’s prolonged absence has reignited concerns about his ability to govern, particularly as silence from state officials fuels speculation amid a politically tense post-election […]

On April 20, 2026, General Évariste Ndayishimiye embarked on an official “friendship and working” visit to Ouagadougou. At the time, the Burundian head of state held the rotating chairmanship of the African Union (AU). This diplomatic endeavor aimed to re-establish dialogue between the continental organization and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This alliance, comprising […]

The armed group JNIM, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, has released a propaganda video showcasing its April 25 assault on the military camp and airport in Sévaré, a key location near Mopti in central Mali. This particular strike on Sévaré was part of a series of synchronized attacks targeting multiple Malian urban centers, executed by JNIM […]

Chad’s political landscape: a deepening authoritarian shift N’Djamena’s current leadership appears set on perpetuating a destructive cycle of coups and violent confrontations. Just two weeks after their initial arrest for organizing a march to protest governance issues in Chad, eight prominent opposition figures received hefty eight-year prison sentences. Their collective, the “Groupe de concertation des […]

In recent months, various global flashpoints, including Iran, Gaza, Russia, Venezuela, and particularly Mali, have commanded considerable media attention. Yet, a stark contradiction emerges: access to a free and independent press in these critical areas is often severely curtailed. Authorities in these nations, driven by a desire to control the narratives presented to the world, […]

Bamako’s junta faces a strategic void Mali has transcended being merely a nation in distress; it now stands as a critical flashpoint for the entire Sahel region. The convergence of jihadist groups, Tuareg separatist militias, ethnic rivalries, economic collapse, and increasing military reliance on Moscow is transforming Mali’s inherent state fragility into an overt regional […]

Boko Haram’s kidnapping economy: how hostage-taking fuels terror in West Africa The kidnapping industry has evolved into a structured and lucrative financing mechanism for armed groups across West Africa. Between July 2024 and June 2025 alone, nearly 5,000 people were abducted in nearly 1,000 incidents, primarily in Nigeria’s northern and central regions. While Boko Haram […]

The relentless struggle between Chadian forces, led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and the extremist group Boko Haram, commanded by Bakura Doro, continues to define a prolonged and arduous regional conflict. This confrontation is widely characterized as an interminable war of attrition, underscoring the persistent challenges in combating terrorism and related factions, including those […]

Alghabass Ag Intalla has solidified his position as a dominant force in Kidal, Mali. His influential inner circle, crucial to maintaining his authority, comprises a diverse group including former military officers, respected Tuareg notables, and individuals with ties to jihadist factions, collectively shaping the region’s complex political landscape.