Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Agenda 2063 is anchored in the aspiration to craft “The Africa We Want,” a peaceful, prosperous, integrated, people-driven, and globally influential continent. Significant strides have been made in translating vision into practice, even while significant work remains.

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Le Japon innove pour approfondir ses relations avec l’Afrique – Centre d’Études Stratégiques de l’Afrique Le processus japonais de la TICAD renforce les partenariats entre l’Afrique et le Japon dans le cadre d’initiatives économiques, de sécurité et de développement.

Le processus japonais de la TICAD renforce les partenariats entre l’Afrique et le Japon dans le cadre d’initiatives économiques, de sécurité et de développement qui reposent sur un financement mixte public-privé et des objectifs communs.

RSF massacres left Sudanese city ‘a slaughterhouse’, satellite images show Up to 150,000 residents of El Fasher are missing since North Darfur capital fell to paramilitary Rapid Support Forces

In the devastated city of El Fasher, satellites have spotted a network of newly dug incineration and burial pits thought to be for the disposal of large numbers of bodies. 150,000 residents remain unaccounted for since the city fell to the RSF.

At present, more than 21 African countries have established space programs, and 18 have launched at least one satellite. The continent has launched a combined total of 65 satellites, with over 120 additional satellites in development and expected to be launched by 2030.

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Nini Kifuate Kutokana na “Msiba Mkubwa wa Kitaifa wa Tanzania”? – Africa Center Ghasia zisizo na kifani dhidi ya wafuasi wa upinzani na raia wa kawaida yameharibu taswira ya Tanzania kama kisiwa cha utulivu na mtetezi wa utawala wa sheria—mgogoro ambao utahitaji upatanishi wa hali ya juu ili kuutatua.

Ghasia zisizo na kifani dhidi ya wafuasi wa upinzani na raia wa kawaida yameharibu taswira ya Tanzania kama kisiwa cha utulivu na mtetezi wa utawala wa sheria—mgogoro ambao utahitaji upatanishi wa hali ya juu ili kuutatua.

The African Union’s ambitious vision of citizen-focused development, infrastructural and institutional innovation, and sustained peace and security provides a template to harmonize intra- and interregional strategies.

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Practical Lessons to Improve Stabilization Operations in Somalia – Africa Center Insufficient civilian–military coordination is hindering stabilization and consolidation of gains in the fight against al Shabaab in Somalia.

Military and civilian stabilization actors often have different ideas of what is "secure". Military tolerance for risk is higher, but civil administration requires reducing insecurity to a level that fosters civilian life and the provision of basic services.

The persistence of Africa’s conflicts has directly contributed to a record 167 million Africans facing acute food insecurity with an estimated 700,000 threatened by famine.

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Conflict is the primary driver of forced displacement in Africa.

90% of forcibly displaced Africans are from countries facing armed conflict.

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Assessing Progress on Africa’s Agenda 2063 – Africa Center The AU's vision of citizen-focused development, innovation, peace, and security provides a template to harmonize intra- and interregional strategies.

Agenda 2063—the African Union’s ambitious vision of citizen-focused development, infrastructural and institutional innovation, and sustained peace and security—provides a template to harmonize intra- and interregional strategies.

The Battle for the Soul of Uganda – Africa Center A new generation in Uganda demanding more political inclusion is challenging the NRM old-guard’s monopoly on power.

Yoweri Museveni will seek to extend his 39-year rule in Uganda’s next presidential election.

Don't miss this explanation of the struggle for the country’s future taking place behind Uganda’s electoral exercises:

JNIM Attacks in Western Mali Reshape Sahel Conflict – Africa Center Recent JNIM attacks in western Mali are targeting the economic, security, and political vulnerabilities of the military junta in Bamako.

Tanzania's unprecedented use of violence against opposition supporters and ordinary citizens following the recent election has ruptured the country’s image as an upholder of the rule of law.

Somalia at Risk of Becoming a Jihadist State – Africa Center Unregulated logging of the Congo Basin rainforests threatens to undercut the livelihoods of millions of households in the region.

The Somalia conflict is becoming increasingly regionalized as Gulf states support rival actors and ambitions. Regional dynamics are increasingly shaped by the interests of rising middle powers, especially the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.

97% of Africa’s forcibly displaced population are IDPs or hosted by other African countries. This year saw a 13% growth of refugees and asylum seekers hosted in another African country—underscoring the intraregional implications of these persistent population flows.

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The African Union's Agenda 2063 represents not only a roadmap but also a call to action.

Our latest Spotlight looks at Agenda 2063's goals, progress, and next steps.

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JNIM Attacks in Western Mali Reshape Sahel Conflict – Africa Center Recent JNIM attacks in western Mali are targeting the economic, security, and political vulnerabilities of the military junta in Bamako.

By targeting Mali’s main overland trade routes, recent jihadist attacks represent an explicit economic strategy to cut off and isolate the junta in Bamako. Petroleum supplies from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire account for nearly 95% of the country’s fuel.

This is unfamiliar territory for a society that has long enjoyed a reputation for political tolerance and ethical, people-centered leadership exemplified by Julius Nyerere, the nation’s revered founding father.

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The Tanzanian government’s heavy-handed electoral process has set the country on highly unstable footing, and now the country faces an unprecedented crisis that will require extraordinary measures to resolve.

Africa’s Critical Minerals at a Critical Juncture – Africa Center To benefit from the latest surge in global demand for strategic minerals, African countries must build transparent processes that advance stability and benefit ordinary citizens.

To benefit from the latest surge in global demand for strategic minerals, African countries must learn from past experiences and build transparent processes that advance stability and benefit ordinary citizens.

تزايد النزعة العسكرية لسياسة الصين تجاه أفريقيا – مركز أفريقيا للدراسات الاستراتيجية English | Français | Português | Kiswahili | العربية طائرة نقل عسكرية من طراز Y-20 تابعة لجيش التحرير الشعبي الصيني. (الصورة: AFP/ImagineChina/Liang Jucong

تستفيد الصين من الأولوية المنخفضة التي تمنحها وسائل الإعلام العالمية والقوى الكبرى لقارة أفريقيا. وقد جعل ذلك من السهل على جيش التحرير الشعبي الصيني تعزيز وجوده العسكري في أفريقيا دون جذب الانتباه.

Les attaques du JNIM dans l’ouest du Mali redéfinissent le conflit au Sahel – Centre d’Études Stratégiques de l’Afrique La coalition JNIM s’attaque aux vulnérabilités économiques, sécuritaires et politiques de la junte militaire de Bamako.

En attaquant les artères de transport, les camions-citernes et les centres de population dans l’ouest du Mali, la coalition JNIM s’attaque aux vulnérabilités économiques, sécuritaires et politiques de la junte militaire de Bamako.

African Collaboration in the Space Domain Holds Potential for Continental Benefits – Africa Center Africa’s ability to realize the national security, communications, and disaster mitigation benefits from space technology relies on collaboration.

African governments are turning to space to power the continent’s socioeconomic transformation. Satellites are expanding internet access to rural communities, helping bridge the digital divide that continues to separate much of Africa from the global information economy.

Al Shabaab poses a serious threat of taking Mogadishu, largely due to a breakdown in political cooperation between federal and state authorities.

To reverse this, fundamental political and security reforms are needed—as well as a reinvigorated peacekeeping force.

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Guinea-Bissau: Continued Turbulence in Struggle to Restrain Executive Power 2025 Elections Guinea-Bissau electoral environment in 2025 is marked by turmoil and uncertainty.

Elections are now scheduled for this weekend: a vote that has significant implications for not only the policy priorities of Guinea-Bissau but also for its model of government and system of checks and balances.

Guinea-Bissau was scheduled to go to the polls last December, but President Umaro Sissoco Embaló arbitrarily postponed the elections a month before election day—following a pattern of jettisoning institutional processes to prolong his time in power.

The Tanzanian government’s heavy-handed efforts to secure electoral victory have set the country on highly unstable footing.

Given the gravity of the crisis and rupture of trust with the public, this crisis cannot be solved by CCM alone.

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The Regional Security Imperative to Protect the Congo Basin – Africa Center Unregulated logging of the Congo Basin rainforests threatens to undercut the livelihoods of millions of households in the region.

Unregulated logging of the Congo Basin rainforests threatens to undercut the livelihoods of millions of households in the region, empower transnational organized criminal networks, and disrupt water cycles in West Africa and the Nile River Basin.

What Next Following Tanzania’s “National Catastrophe”? – Africa Center South Africa’s pivotal election is a reaffirmation of democratic principles, and South Africans’ renowned capacity for compromise.

The unprecedented use of violence against opposition supporters and ordinary citizens has ruptured Tanzania’s image as an island of stability and an upholder of the rule of law—a crisis that will require active high-level mediation to resolve.

Africa’s Colliding Conflicts Compound Forced Displacement Crisis – Africa Center Africa’s forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing into neighboring countries also experiencing conflict.

97% of Africa’s forcibly displaced are IDPs or hosted by other African countries. This year saw a 13% growth of refugees and asylum seekers being hosted in another African country, underscoring the intraregional implications of these persistent population flows.

JNIM Attacks in Western Mali Reshape Sahel Conflict – Africa Center Recent JNIM attacks in western Mali are targeting the economic, security, and political vulnerabilities of the military junta in Bamako.

The JNIM coalition now exerts much more influence and control over territory in Mali than at any other previous time during the 13-year insurgency.

Our spotlight looks at why, and how Mali got here: