violence in Africa
Reports on violence in Africa See all →

Coup in Mali spells risk, instability and violence

Popular protests and military pressure have combined to bring down another longtime African leader, Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. A tumultuous transition period has become somewhat clearer, with the appointment of a civilian president and a government that includes opposing armed factions. But violence and a refugee crisis have worsened due in part to jihadist groups, implicating both neighboring countries and international forces in the region.

Burundi: Turmoil ahead?
In May 2020, President Pierre Nkurunziza will step down and the successor chosen by the regime will likely become the new leader of Burundi. However, these developments could trigger significant upheavals. Armed militias operating from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo could decide to interfere, especially if the ...


The true strengths of sub-Saharan Africa
Botched decolonization in the 20th century has saddled sub-Saharan Africa with the nation-state concept and social designs that are alien to its indigenous societies. The result is the twin scourge of perennial conflict and economic weakness. The outside world should rethink its stand on the decentralization of African states and ...


GIS Dossier: Governance in Africa, the case of three countries
Three sub-Saharan African countries, all with decades-long, devastating civil wars behind them. Two are populous and large, well-endowed in natural riches, while one is a small, landlocked nation with no particular resources. Which one is Africa’s poster child of economic and developmental success today? This GIS Dossier examines why the ...


GIS Dossier: How demography shapes geopolitics
Though demographics has always had an important effect on geopolitics, big changes in population structure have become more frequent and had a wider impact as the world has become more globalized. In East Asia, populations are aging, while in Africa they are growing younger. Huge waves of migration are causing ...
