North Africa’s Security
Security | Defense | Terrorism
Sahel: Rising Attacks on Military and Economic Targets Deepen Mali’s Instability
Mali is closing the year under mounting security strain as jihadist groups expand attacks on military convoys, fuel supply routes, and foreign-linked economic assets. Recent operations near the Guinean border and across central regions highlight a shift toward economic disruption and targeted abductions, raising concerns about stability and investment risks heading into 2026.
SECURITY & DEFENSE
Sahel: Germany says Russian troops may be present in Mali
German soldiers in Mali spotted several dozen suspected Russian security forces in the city of Gao just as the last French soldiers left the country, the German government said Wednesday. The German ambassador in Bamako has contacted Mali's foreign minister about "the...
Sahel: Mali-France relations worsen as Bamako accuses Paris of “aggression and espionage”
Mali has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting to stop what it calls French "acts of aggression", including alleged espionage and violations of sovereignty, and accused France of supporting jihadists. In a letter seen Wednesday by AFP, Foreign Minister...
Sahel: Germany halts military operations in Mali after Bamako denies UN flyover
The German defence ministry said Friday it had suspended most of its operations in Mali after the local military-led government denied flyover rights to a UN peacekeeping mission. "The Malian government has once again refused to give flyover rights to a flight planned...
Sahel: France wraps up military withdrawal from Mali
By Selim Saheb Ettaba and Joris Fioriti The last soldiers belonging to France's Barkhane operation in Mali have now left the African country, the French chiefs of staff said on Monday. French forces have been supporting Mali against insurgents for nearly a decade,...
Sahel security: France’s military presence in Mali
French troops gained an enthusiastic welcome when they entered Mali more than nine years ago to help it fight a jihadist-fuelled insurgency. On Monday, France pulled out of the country in the face of deep hostility after falling out with colonels who seized power...
Sahel: Understanding the Mali crisis
On August 18 2020, crowds in the Malian capital Bamako applauded as young colonels toppled a civilian government struggling to roll back a bloody jihadist insurgency. Today, the looming anniversary of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's ouster sees a country mired in...
Sahel: Militants kill more soldiers and civilians in Mali
Forty-two Malian soldiers died in an attack at the weekend by suspected jihadists, the army said Wednesday in a document naming the fatalities, revising an earlier figure of 21 dead. The toll is one of the bloodiest in Mali's decade-long insurgency, which has spread...
Libya: Dozens of suspects go on trial for alleged membership to IS
The trial opened Monday in Libya's western city of Misrata of 56 suspected Islamic State group militants captured after the 2016 fall of its bastion Sirte. The 56 suspects, out of a total of 320 facing trial, appeared in court before the trial was adjourned to...
Sahel: Suspected jihadists kill 4 Mali soldiers, 2 civilians in Tessit
At least four soldiers, two civilians and five assailants were killed on Sunday in an attack in a strategic border zone between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Mali's army said. The army blamed the attack on "terrorists" in an announcement late Sunday, using the term it...
Sahelian country of Chad looking for path to peace
By Tim Witcher and Dylan Gamba in Libreville Chad's military government and more than 40 opposition groups signed a deal Monday to launch national peace talks this month, but the main rebel outfit refused to take part. United Nations and African Union leaders urged...
INSURGENCIES & TERRORISM
Libya: Despite calls for ceasefire, Haftar continues to attack Tripoli
There is little to no hope that warlord Khalifa Haftar and his supporters will listen to calls for reason and endorse a ceasefire. The UN Security Council called Tuesday on the warring parties in Libya to quickly reach a ceasefire. AFP quotes the security council as...
Tunisia: Military arrests wanted female terrorist in Bouhajila
Libya/Tunisia: Syrian fighters seize facility of Chinese industrial company near Tunisia borders
Sahel: Somber assessment about Burkina Faso’s stability, say MEA Risk LLC
Advisory firm MEA Risk LLC released a brief to its client suggesting that the instability in Burkina Faso and neighboring countries will likely escalate going forward. The audio portion of the brief is posted above. The MEA Risk note says Burkina Faso is a complex...
Libya: UN panel says no trace of Sudanese RSF mercenaries in Libya
United Nations, United States, Jan 20, 2020 - A United Nations panel said Monday it had no "credible evidence" of Sudanese paramilitaries fighting in conflict-wracked Libya for military strongman Khalifa Haftar as alleged by some media outlets. Several Libyan and...
Sahel: Insecurity forces Niger to halt voter registration in troubled regions
Niamey, Jan 21, 2020 - Niger's election commission said Tuesday it had suspended a voter registration drive in a western border region buffeted by jihadist insurgents. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) said because of security circumstances in the...
Libya: Haftar under pressure to resume oil exports
Tripoli, Jan 21, 2020 - The United States called Tuesday for an immediate resumption of Libya's lifeline oil exports that have been blocked by forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar since last week. "The suspension of National Oil Corporation (NOC)...
Sahel: Boko Haram kills more civilians in western Chad
N'Djamena, Jan 20, 2020 - Nine civilians died in western Chad after a female suicide bomber detonated her explosives in an area targeted in the past by jihadist group Boko Haram, the army and officials said on Monday. Chad is one of the countries struggling with the...
Africa: More violence in northern Nigeria
Kano, Nigeria, Jan 20, 2020 - Heavily armed jihadists have carried out an "extremely violent" attack on a vital aid facility housing United Nations workers in northeast Nigeria, the UN said Monday. No aid workers were harmed in the assault, but a military source said...
Libya: The Berlin conference outcome suggests no peace in Libya
Opinion by Arezki Daoud: All the roads leading to Tripoli are paved with landmines. The Berlin conference was a great initiative, and kudos to Angele Merkel for trying. But I fear it ended with no major progress and clear signs that the violence will not end anytime...