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The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center promotes dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and helps redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.

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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

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Pham on the Timing of ISIS Accepting Boko Haram’s Pledge of Allegiance

By J. Peter Pham

French-language Agence France-Presse quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on how ISIS accepting Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance falls at a time when both groups have been suffering military defeats:

Nigeria

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Foreign Policy Quotes Atlantic Council Event on Nigeria

By Atlantic Council

Foreign Policy quotes Nigerian Defense Intelligence Chief Gabriel E. Okoi on outside military aid to Nigeria from an Atlantic Council event on Boko Haram and the security situation in Nigeria:

Nigeria

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Leadership Covers Atlantic Council Event on Nigeria

By Atlantic Council

Leadership covers an Atlantic Council event on Nigeria and highlights the discussion on the postponed Nigerian elections:

Nigeria Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Mar 12, 2015

Pham on the Efforts to Locate Boko Haram’s Leader

By J. Peter Pham

NBC News quotes Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham on the efforts to capture Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau:

Nigeria

MENASource

Mar 12, 2015

Celebrating the Economic Potential of the Maghreb

By Mohamed Malouche

More than four years since the Tunisian revolution, ignited by popular anger at high unemployment, a lack of regional development, and few opportunities for advancement, Tunisia and the rest of the Maghreb nations, most notably Algeria and Morocco, have placed a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurial innovation.

Morocco North Africa
Photo: REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Issue Brief

Mar 12, 2015

Morocco’s gradual political and economic transition

By Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran

In contrast to popular uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011, Morocco has emerged relatively unscathed, avoiding destabilizing political upheaval or economic impact. The case of Morocco has surprised many observers because its weak and problematic social, political, and economic indicators are much like those of the other transitioning countries. In “Morocco’s […]

Morocco North Africa

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

In the News

Mar 11, 2015

AFP Quotes Atlantic Council Event on Boko Haram

By Atlantic Council

Agence France-Presse quotes the Head of Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency Ayodele Oke on areas Boko Haram still controls in Nigeria from an Atlantic Council event on the security situation in Nigeria and the campaign against Boko Haram:

Nigeria

Experts

Events