In 2024, a United Nations monitoring team reported that the relationship between Somalia’s al-Shabaab terrorist group and Yemen’s Houthi rebels was “transactional or opportunistic, and not ideological.” In a 2025 report, the U.N. said those
Nigerian Navy cracks down on oil theft, arrests 76 vessels in two years
The Nigerian Navy has arrested 76 vessels and at least 242 suspects in anti-oil theft operations, and destroyed more than 800 illegal refining sites during a two-year crackdown, it said on Thursday. Rampant oil theft
Suspected IS Jihadists Kill Dozens Of Niger Civilians
An attack by suspected jihadists has killed “dozens” of civilians in Niger in the latest massacre to plague the unrest-hit border with Burkina Faso and Mali, sources told AFP on Monday. Along with its Sahel
How Guinea became a gateway for Russian weapons to reach the Sahel
Despite the departure of the Wagner Group from Mali, Russia is continuing to strengthen its military presence in the country through its Africa Corps. Using satellite imagery, shipping logs and eyewitness reports, journalists from RFI
Libya’s Al-Khadim airbase becomes a hub for Russian arms in the Sahel
Amid renewed relations with Libya, Russia is relying on the Al-Khadim base near Benghazi to strengthen its military presence in the Sahel region of Africa. RFI journalists were able to trace the itinerary of a
Chaos, crime force residents to flee Sudan’s Nyala amid security collapse
Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, is facing an unprecedented collapse in security. Violations have sharply escalated to include extrajudicial killings, systematic looting, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom, with senior officers accused of organizing
Al-Shabaab Weapons Store Destroyed in Somalia
The Somali National Army (SNA) has destroyed a suspected Al-Shabaab weapon store in central regions, following a sophisticated operation launched by the military within Adan Yabaal district, which is largely under the militants. The two
A confidential brief urges the ICC to investigate Wagner’s promotion of atrocities in West Africa
The International Criminal Court has been asked to review a confidential legal report arguing that the Russia-linked Wagner Group has committed war crimes by spreading images of apparent atrocities in West Africa on social media,
Mali Junta Chief Visits Russia As Jihadist Threat Waxes
Mali’s military strongman arrived on Sunday for a visit to Russia, whose help the west African country’s junta has sought in fighting its long-running jihadist threat since seizing power. Under General Assimi Goita, who came
Israel-Iran conflict: Then Nigerian connection, By Dakuku Peterside
In the unfolding drama between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Nigeria may feel tremors in its markets and society, but it must direct its fate by using any temporary gains to build enduring foundations, rather than