Sahel, Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa & Africa Crime Nexus
Key Questions
How is Islamic State exploiting political issues in Puntland?
Islamic State is renewing operations in Puntland by taking advantage of leader Deni's missteps. This allows the group to expand its presence amid local governance challenges.
What recent developments highlight the scale of Islamic State attacks in Africa?
IS claims 85% of attacks across the continent, with West Africa leading according to al-Naba issue 555. The group has launched a 'Burning Camps' campaign focused on attrition and economic warfare across six theatres.
What evidence links the RSF to war crimes in Sudan?
The ICC has obtained concrete evidence tying RSF leaders to Darfur atrocities, while new reports describe RSF actions in El Fasher as genocide. Additional investigations show LNA training of RSF fighters in Libya with UAE support.
IS claims 85% of attacks in Africa. Zamfara bombing kills 72-100. US airstrikes kill ISWAP leader. Niger-Benin thaw. South Africa political violence: five politicians killed in one weekend; GI-TOC analysis reveals blurred line between political and criminal assassinations. Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger withdraw from Rome Statute. ICC Mali reparations. Liberia cocaine seizure. RSF war crimes in El Fasher. Timbuktu threatened. Meth labs in Nigeria and Kenya with Mexican cartel links. Sudan militia mapping. ICC breakthrough: concrete evidence linking RSF leaders to Darfur war crimes. Sudan Army captures Kurmuk from RSF-SPLM-N coalition. New report frames RSF atrocities in El Fasher as genocide. New investigations reveal LNA training RSF fighters in Libya with UAE backing. RSF build-up around El Obeid suggests imminent major assault. US Africom strike in Lake Chad fails to stem violence; schoolchildren abducted hours later. US combat withdrawal from Nigeria leaves Abuja leaning on intelligence support as kidnappings intensify. Nigeria's kidnapping crisis escalates under Tinubu; religious leaders lobby US for deeper intervention. Dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers rescued in Nigeria — 46 students and staff abducted in May, now freed; Boko Haram blamed, ransom economy worsening. Latest: Nigerian forces suffered casualties during the Oyo rescue operation; Nigeria claims army killed 300 bandits in Zamfara state — tactical win but systemic ransom economy persists. DRC takes UNSC presidency to push conflict minerals framework; US backs tougher UN framework on illicit minerals, sanctions RDF/Rwanda officials for gold smuggling. New: IS al-Naba issue 555 shows sharp operational uptick across six theatres, with West Africa leading; 'Burning Camps' campaign and shift to attrition/economic warfare. New: StreitGroup, a Canadian arms manufacturer with sanctions controversies, opens armoured vehicle factory in Tanzania, raising concerns about regulatory gaps and potential diversion to conflict zones. Ghana indefinitely postpones President Ramaphosa's state visit due to anti-migrant violence in South Africa, straining regional relations. UN report warns war economy sustains armed conflict in Sudan, linking commodity trade (gum arabic, gold) to conflict financing. Cameroon succession crisis deepens as President Biya's absence triggers coup plotting. IS in Puntland renews operations after Deni's missteps. UN sanctions AFC/M23 and FDLR leaders in eastern Congo. Central Africa's shifting alliances between armies and militias analyzed. Massive MDMA bust in Spain destined for Ghana confirms ecstasy-for-cocaine barter trade through West Africa.