Security trends

A Ugandan court has refused to grant bail to opposition leader Kizza Besigye on medical grounds, despite his visibly weakened state. The 68-year-old, a longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule, remains in detention alongside two co-accused as he awaits a final ruling on his request by February 25. Besigye, who was reportedly abducted in Kenya last November, …

M23 rebels, reportedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of Bukavu, a strategic city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, rich in mineral resources. This advance follows the occupation of Goma in January and marks a new phase in the armed group’s expansion in North and South Kivu. In a statement, the Congo River Alliance—a coalition of several rebel factions, including …

After four years of transition in Mali, uncertainty remains over whether a presidential election will take place in 2025. The New Year’s ceremony held at the Koulouba Palace on February 14 was mainly an opportunity for the Secretary-General of the Presidency to present a report on the reforms undertaken since Assimi Goïta came to power in 2021. Among the highlighted …

The Festival sur le Niger in Ségou, Mali, unfolded this year amid significant political and security challenges in West Africa. As thousands gathered along the banks of the Niger River to celebrate Malian music, theater, and arts, the festival also reflected the shifting political landscape. Mali’s recent withdrawal from ECOWAS, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, and the uncertainty surrounding the …

Amid escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) convened an emergency summit in Tanzania. The recent capture of Goma by the March 23 Movement (M23) has intensified the crisis, prompting regional leaders to call for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of political dialogue. …

At least ten people were killed on Friday near Gao, in northern Mali, in a suspected jihadist attack on a convoy escorted by the Malian army and Russian Wagner group mercenaries. According to local and security sources, the attackers targeted several vehicles, once again highlighting the persistent threat posed by armed groups in the region. Since 2012, Mali has been …

The UN has expressed growing concern over the risk of escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the surrounding region, calling the current situation the “highest it has ever been.” The organization warned that without immediate action, the situation could worsen, leading to dire consequences for the people in the eastern DRC. During the opening of a …

In a significant move towards ending years of political deadlock, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has announced the establishment of a consultative committee. This newly formed body is tasked with drafting proposals for the organization of national elections, a crucial step towards restoring political stability and fostering national reconciliation. The committee comprises representatives from civil society, political …

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has criticized the international community for its lack of concrete action in response to the ongoing M23 rebel offensive in the country’s east. During a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “We hear many statements, but we see no action.” Her …

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a persistent crisis, fuelled by tensions between the government and the M23 rebel movement, accused of being backed by Rwanda. This worrying situation has prompted the international community to step up its efforts to restore peace. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has engaged in mediation, calling for immediate de-escalation and dialogue between …