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Military & Security

Amadou Koufa, the leader of the Katiba Macina group within al Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), said that the group intends to expand its attacks and territorial control beyond its current focus on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger towards the littoral states along the Gulf of Guinea, according to email correspondence with a France24 journalist published Oct. 23.

Sahel: Top JNIM Leader Pledges to Expand into Littoral West African States

Turkey

Russia

Al Qaeda affiliate Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, or JNIM, killed at least 12 Togolese soldiers at a military outpost near the locality of Kpekankandi in Togo's northern Savanes region, LSI Africa reported on July 21.

Togo: Al Qaeda Affiliate Launches Large-Scale Attack on Northern Military Outpost 

Politics

Togo's national electoral commission announced on May 4 that the ruling Union for the Republic party secured a majority in the National Assembly, winning 108 out of 113 seats, following the April 29 elections, Radio France Internationale reported the following day. 

Togo: Ruling Party Wins Majority in Parliamentary Elections

Nine Togolese politicians who oppose a new constitution that could allow President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his 19-year rule were arrested on April 3, Reuters reported on April 5.

Togo: Opposition Members Jailed Over Campaign Against New Constitution Following Election Postponement

Togo's National Assembly on March 25 adopted a new constitution that shifts the country's presidential system to a parliamentary one, Jeune Afrique reported the following day.

Togo: New Constitution To Shift Country to Parliamentary System

Togolese lawmakers once again extended the state of emergency in the northern Savanes region for a year in response to ongoing jihadist incursions, Radio France Internationale reported on March 11.

Togo: Parliament Extends State of Emergency in Northern Region

Cabo Verde

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea Bissau

Liberia

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Economics

Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally notified the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, of their intention to withdraw from the regional bloc, Jeune Afrique reported on Jan. 30.

Sahel: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Send Formal Notification of Exit From ECOWAS 

The Togolese government declared a state of security emergency in the north on June 13 to give the military a broader mandate against jihadist threats, Africa News reported June 14.

Togo: Government Declares State of Security Emergency in North

Assessments

Sub-Saharan Africa

South Sudan

Eritrea

Rwanda

Sudan

Uganda

People flee their neighborhoods in Khartoum, Sudan, amid fighting between the army and paramilitary troops on April 19, 2023. 

Government institutions in eastern and western Africa remain relatively strong, but potential succession crises, simmering unrest and weak leaders still pose latent risks.

Assessing the Risk of Future African Coups, Part 2: West and East Africa

Chad

France

French soldiers of the Barkhane force patrol the streets of Timbuktu, Mali, on Dec. 5, 2021.

In the wake of Niger's coup, France will be compelled to revamp its security strategy in the Sahel and West Africa at large.

What the Niger Crisis Means for France's Counterterrorism Strategy in Africa

United States

Protesters hold placards denouncing ECOWAS on Aug. 3, 2023, in Niamey, Niger. While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

While an intervention probably would topple the Nigerien junta, it could cause a regional conflict, boost jihadists and lead to a weak Nigerian civilian regime.

How Might an ECOWAS Military Intervention Take Shape in Niger?

Mauritanian soldiers stand guard at their country's border with Mali. 

The Jihadist Wars

The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

After years in the Middle East, global militant groups have begun setting up shop in the Sahel region. And that's a problem for the booming economies of nearby Ivory Coast and Ghana. 

As Terrorists Settle Into the Sahel, West Africa Prepares for Battle

Media

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Graphics

Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Energy

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

Security

_Energy

Environmental Issues

Environment, Science & Technology

Nigeria Is at the Center of West Africa's Future Energy Plans

Abuja has access to the region's largest oil and natural gas reserves, but political obstacles have made it difficult to maximize its use of these resources.

Powering Africa's Economies: Prospects for Growth in Electricity Markets

Several significant power production projects are underway in Africa. In West Africa, however, national grids are poorly interconnected, limiting opportunities to optimize electricity distribution and trade.

Electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa

Staff of the Christian charity Samaritan's Purse dress in protective gear in the ELWA hospital in the Liberian capital Monrovia on July 24. 

The outbreak is more widespread than initially expected, but unless it spreads further, there is little reason to panic, at least for now. 

West Africa's Ebola Outbreak Is Still a Limited Threat

Latest French Operations in Mali

French air assaults come as the jihadists break under the pressure of military operations.

Piracy off the western coast of Africa is thriving, but many factors will limit its impact on international shipping.

Gulf of Guinea Piracy: Challenges and Constraints

Round brick huts near Grottes de Nok in Togo, in western Africa.

SITUATION REPORTS

Sahel: Top JNIM Leader Pledges to Expand into Littoral West African States

Togo: Al Qaeda Affiliate Launches Large-Scale Attack on Northern Military Outpost

Togo: Ruling Party Wins Majority in Parliamentary Elections

Togo: Opposition Members Jailed Over Campaign Against New Constitution Following Election Postponement

Togo: New Constitution To Shift Country to Parliamentary System

Togo: Parliament Extends State of Emergency in Northern Region

Sahel: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso Send Formal Notification of Exit From ECOWAS

Togo: Government Declares State of Security Emergency in North

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