Africa Center Commentary & Analysis

Through high-level relationships and a track record of well-respected analysis, the Africa Center speaks directly to the stakeholders who matter, shaping policy on the foremost issues of this dynamic continent.

Article

Mar 13, 2015

A Weakened Caliphate Expands

By J. Peter Pham

Bottom Line Up Front: • The Islamic State accepted Boko Haram’s allegiance, or bay’at, pledged to the Iraq and Syria-based extremist group over the weekend • Given the recent military setbacks for Boko Haram and the Islamic State, and their increasing convergence, this development is unsurprising and a propaganda victory for both groups

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 11, 2015

Rights and Wrongs: US Law Hurting Ties, Says Nigerian Official

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Leahy amendment curbs US military aid to foreign troops accused of atrocities A US law that bans the sale of weapons to foreign forces accused of human rights violations is “hindering” cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, even as Abuja wages war against Boko Haram militants, a top Nigerian intelligence official said March 11. […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

Event Recap

Mar 11, 2015

Update on Security in Nigeria and the Campaign against Boko Haram

By Africa Center

Amid the most hotly-contested elections since Nigeria’s 1999 transition back to civilian rule, the West African country’s military has gone on the offensive against Boko Haram, an Islamist terror group that until very recently controlled a chunk of territory across three northeastern states equivalent to the size of Belgium. A regional military force, catalyzed in […]

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Mar 9, 2015

US, EU Pressure Sought on Congo’s Kabila

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Opposition leaders see signs President is trying to cling to power The United States and the European Union must continue to press Congolese President Joseph Kabila to leave office at the end of his second term in 2016 because the country’s constitution bars him from seeking a third term, opposition officials from the Democratic Republic […]

Africa

Event Recap

Mar 9, 2015

Congo’s Democracy Deficit: A Conversation with Vital Kamerhe

By Africa Center

Despite being home to extraordinary mineral deposits and other natural resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most under-developed countries in the world, and hosts the United Nations’ largest peacekeeping mission. In the run-up to DRC’s 2016 presidential election, both the United States and the European Union have expressed concern […]

Africa

New Atlanticist

Mar 5, 2015

South Sudan: Kicking the Can Down the Road, Again

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Rivals and international community lack political will to end crisis, says Atlantic Council’s Pham South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his former Vice President Riek Machar failed to resolve their differences by the March 5 deadline not only because they lack the political will to do so, but also because the international community lacks the […]

Africa East Africa

Event Recap

Mar 4, 2015

Israel’s Engagement with Africa: A Conversation with Ambassador Avi Granot

By Africa Center

Israel has been active in Africa for decades, but now more than ever the country’s growing economy, burgeoning population, and military and security expertise make it an attractive partner for African nations.

Event Recap

Mar 3, 2015

The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order

By Africa Center

On March 3, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted an event to mark the release of Senior Fellow Sean McFate’s book, The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order.

AfricaSource

Feb 26, 2015

Assessing al-Shabaab’s Mall Threat

By Joshua Meservey

Al-Shabaab, the terrorist organization that controls stretches of Somalia, made a splash February 21 when it released a video featuring a masked spokesman calling for attacks on malls in England, Canada, and the United States. This is the group that in 2013 attacked the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya with terrible result, giving its threat […]

National Security Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Feb 24, 2015

Can al-Shabaab Strike the United States?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Somali terror group has sympathizers, but no active sleeper cell in United States, says Atlantic Council’s Pham Al-Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked militant group in Somalia, has sympathizers in the United States, but likely does not have the ability to strike targets in the West, despite its recent threat to do so, according to Atlantic Council […]

Africa East Africa
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