‘Islamic State in Africa’ explores nine militant Islamist groups Dan Eizenga - July 14, 2022 This book takes a comprehensive look at the rise of Islamic State affiliates operating on the continent
Mozambique’s Islamist insurgents are on the run. Integrating former rebel fighters could help usher in peace. Kai M. Thaler - August 26, 2021 Bringing ex-insurgents into a government’s security forces can win over locals and improve intelligence — but only if it is done well.
Seven years ago, #BringBackOurGirls was a global campaign. What happened? Laura Seay - July 22, 2021 A compelling book details the story of Nigeria’s kidnapped Chibok girls
Benin’s militant problem may worsen after last month’s election Christina Cottiero - May 3, 2021 The government focused on weeding out political opponents in recent years, rather than combating extremist and criminal groups
Why the Nashville bomber warned people to evacuate Joseph M. Brown - December 30, 2020 Terrorists often want to persuade civilians to their side — while luring police into danger
The massive protests in Nigeria, explained Tarila Ebiede - October 25, 2020 What is the SARS unit, and why do Nigerians want to #EndSARS?
A closer look at Congo’s Islamist rebels Judith Verweijen and Daniel Fahey - September 28, 2020 Claims about links to the Islamic State may hamper civilian protection
Autocratic governments are using coronavirus as a pretext to clamp down on opponents Travis Curtice, Mel Pavlik, Hilary Matfess, and Don Grasse - July 30, 2020 Here’s what we found in Uganda and Zimbabwe.
No, Trump probably can’t list antifa as a ‘terrorist group.’ Here’s what he’s really doing. Brian Phillips - June 11, 2020 U.S. security services are getting the message about where to focus
Trump wants to pull Cameroon’s preferential trade status. Here’s what you need to know. Travis Curtice - November 28, 2019 Are human rights concerns the real reason or just a pretext?
Here are the three new books you need to understand Nigeria Alexander Thurston - August 24, 2019 It’s the 11th installment of this year’s African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! One’s an introduction, one explores Boko Haram and the third looks at the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
Announcing the 6th annual TMC African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular! Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - May 31, 2019 Here’s the reading schedule. Join us!
Why is Nigeria cracking down on peaceful religious protests? Jason Klocek - February 4, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83417" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of the Islamic Movement in
Why this strain of Ebola will be far more difficult to stop Lindsay Scorgie-Porter - October 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79103" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A medical worker prepares to treat
Cameroon has an election Sunday — and everyone already knows the winner Yonatan Morse - October 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78633" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Cameroonian couple on a scooter
China-Africa military ties have deepened. Here are 4 things to know. Lina Benabdallah - July 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75375" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Civilians sheltering in a U.N. base
Here’s a different take on Boko Haram and extremism in Africa Kim Yi Dionne - June 22, 2018 [caption id="attachment_45643" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This woman and girl escaped their Boko
Four things you should know about mutinies Kim Yi Dionne - June 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74566" align="aligncenter" width="5028"] Soldiers guard a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria,
How educational programs in Africa can help counter violent extremism Beth Maclin and Beza Tesfaye - May 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73500" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hundreds of al-Shabab fighters perform military
I did the first long-term study investigating illegal ivory traders. Here’s what I learned. Kristof Titeca - April 18, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72373" align="alignnone" width="960"] A Zimbabwe National Parks official holds
Boko Haram has kidnapped more girls. Here’s what we know. Hilary Matfess - March 8, 2018 [caption id="attachment_70264" align="aligncenter" width="960"] From left, Fatima Abdu, 14, Zahra
Locals call Boko Haram ‘slave raiders.’ Here’s what that means, and why it matters. Scott MacEachern - February 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69429" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this undated image taken from
Somalia’s African Union mission has a new exit strategy. But can troops actually leave? Paul Williams - November 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66750" align="aligncenter" width="960"] African Union soldiers march along the
The Islamic State is more like a street gang than like other terrorist groups Matthew Phillips and Matthew Valasik - November 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62026" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member loyal to the Islamic
Boko Haram vs. al-Shabab: What do we know about their patterns of violence? Wendy Williams, Roudabeh Kishi, Olivia Russell, Joseph Siegle, and Clionadh Raleigh - October 2, 2017 The United Nations proclaimed Oct. 2 as the International Day
No, al-Shabab is not deadlier than Boko Haram. Here are better numbers. Salem Solomon and Casey Frechette - July 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61248" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Somali soldiers stand guard at the
Is Ivory Coast seeing a second ‘economic miracle’? Kim Yi Dionne and Abou Bamba - July 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60876" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President of the Islamic Development Bank
Here’s what we can learn about Brexit from Boko Haram and Nigerian politics Laura Seay - July 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60672" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Mohammed Ambali is a member of
This is why al-Shabab won’t be going away anytime soon Tricia Bacon - July 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60645" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Students in Nairobi protest an attack
How to understand Boko Haram Laura Seay - June 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60274" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Residents arrange under a white sheet
Cameroon has been in crisis for six months. Here’s what you need to know. Yonatan Morse - June 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59202" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cameroon’s President Paul Biya and wife
Announcing the Fourth Annual TMC African Politics Summer Reading Spectacular Laura Seay and Kim Yi Dionne - May 26, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58821" align="alignright" width="1024"] Selected titles from the 2017 TMC
How far does Saudi Arabia’s influence go? Look at Nigeria. Alexander Thurston - October 31, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48605" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man walks by a tank
Jihadis in Congo? Probably not. Kristof Titeca - September 27, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46830" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Congolese soldier from the Armed
Boko Haram’s internal rift probably isn’t good news. Here’s why. Hilary Matfess - August 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45643" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Nigerian woman who escaped her
Polio is back in Nigeria, and the next vaccination campaign may have a surprising consequence Shelby Grossman, Leah Rosenzweig, and Jonathan Phillips - August 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45584" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A health official administers a polio
Nigeria’s kleptocracy has been stealing public funds forever. Here’s how to stop it. Matthew Page - July 22, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44286" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People stand to meet musician Ado
Yes, Central African Republic is a real country. But it’s a very different kind of country. Tatiana Carayannis and Louisa Lombard - June 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42268" align="aligncenter" width="303"] (Courtesy of the authors)[/caption] When ousted
How big were the changes Tunisia’s Ennahda party just made at its national congress? Monica Marks - May 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41073" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Tunisian Ennahda party supporters wave flags
Here’s how the U.N. is working to stop terrorists from getting weapons of mass destruction Mark Nance and Bryan Early - May 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39928" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] The General Assembly building at United
Here’s why so many people join Boko Haram, despite its notorious violence Hilary Matfess - April 26, 2016 Just over two years ago, the extremist Islamist group Boko
4 things you should know about Niger’s recent elections Lisa Mueller and Lukas Matthews - April 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39161" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A banner of Niger's newly elected
The upcoming Niger election and the drama surrounding it, explained Lisa Mueller and Lukas Matthews - February 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35758" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A picture taken on Feb. 2,
The U.S. can’t fight terrorists in Africa. So guess what it does instead. Charles Thomas - February 1, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35026" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A crashed MQ-9 Reaper drone seen
As Niger prepares for elections, it’s concerned about security. Should it be? Lisa Mueller - January 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34824" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Terrace at Hotel le Sahel, Niamey,
In Nigeria, newly appointed officials signal shift in economic policy Zainab Usman - December 1, 2015 [caption id="attachment_32777" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Kayode Fayemi, Nigeria's new minister of
5 things that the president of Nigeria can do to get his country back on track Matthew Page - November 2, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31564" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari rides in
Why Obama’s military deployment against Boko Haram is too little, too late Landry Signé - October 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31259" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Cameroon's Deputy Prime Minister Amadou Ali
A new project wants to forecast mass killings before they happen. Here's how. John Sides - September 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27291" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A Muslim woman visits the Potocari
A new project wants to forecast mass killings before they happen. Here’s how. John Sides - September 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27291" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A Muslim woman visits the Potocari
Governance, gender and no guarantees in Africa's oil-rich states Laura Seay - June 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26264" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Nigerian soldiers of
Governance, gender and no guarantees in Africa’s oil-rich states Laura Seay and Celeste Hicks - June 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26264" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Nigerian soldiers of
Why Islamist insurgents are so difficult to coerce Yuri Zhukov and Duffy Toft - May 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24310" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Islamic fighters from al-Nusra Front
The Islamic State, Boko Haram and the evolution of international jihad Nathaniel Allen - March 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23098" align="alignnone" width="620"] A wall painted by Boko Haram
What other African elections tell us about Nigeria’s bet on biometrics Giulia Piccolino - March 10, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21553" align="alignnone" width="620"] Two Nigerian voters pose for a
Media portrayals of Africa promote paternalism Andy Baker - March 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22373" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A family of refugees that fled
New insights on Congo's Islamist rebels Laura Seay - February 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21474" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A file photo taken on May
New insights on Congo’s Islamist rebels Daniel Fahey - February 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21474" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A file photo taken on May
What’s next for Nigeria’s democracy? Hilary Matfess - February 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21412" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Campaign posters of Nigeria's main opposition presidential
What's next for Nigeria's democracy? Laura Seay - February 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21412" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Campaign posters of Nigeria's main opposition presidential
Are efforts to limit presidential power in Africa working? Beatty Riedl - February 16, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21266" align="alignnone" width="620"] A campaign poster for incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan
Nigerians go to the polls in a tight race amid concerns about election safety, credibility Peter Lewis and Carolyn Logan - January 30, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20708" align="alignnone" width="620"] A Goodluck Jonathan supporter, wearing a
Don’t ignore Nigeria’s gubernatorial elections Alexander Thurston - January 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20574" align="alignnone" width="620"] A man stands in a box
Why (some) states use religion to justify violence Ani Sarkissian - January 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20304" align="aligncenter" width="620"] People take part in an Amnesty
Boko Haram is not al-Qaeda Hilary Matfess - January 13, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20095" align="alignnone" width="620"] Soldiers patrol the remote northeast town of
Informal counterinsurgency from Iraq to Nigeria: Who pays the price? Sabine Carey and Neil Mitchell - December 22, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19420" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Iraqi soldiers supported by volunteers from
The Boko Haram insurgency, by the numbers Peter Lewis, Nathaniel Allen, and Hilary Matfess - October 6, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16524" align="alignnone" width="620"] A screen grab taken on May
Hot pursuit in Syria and in history Lionel Beehner - September 28, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16272" align="aligncenter" width="575"] Pancho Villa (Smithsonian)[/caption] Secretary of State
The Islamic State won’t find it easy to wipe away post-colonial borders William Miles - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15588" align="aligncenter" width="620"] This image posted on a militant
The Islamic State won't find it easy to wipe away post-colonial borders William Miles - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15588" align="aligncenter" width="620"] This image posted on a militant
Debating the benefits of rebel brutality Jacob Kathman - September 3, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15196" align="aligncenter" width="620"] People gather to look at burned
Pundits panicking about Ebola hurt cause they mean to help Kim Yi Dionne and Adia Benton - September 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15071" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Laurie Garrett, former journalist and current
Global terrorism data show that the reach of terrorism is expanding - August 15, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14556" align="aligncenter" width="2060"] A map of global terrorism incidents
Female suicide bombers are not a new phenomenon Mia Bloom - August 6, 2014 A petrol station sits in ruins after a female suicide
The jihadist governance dilemma Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Amichai Magen - July 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13181" align="aligncenter" width="620"] On June 16,demonstrators chant pro-Islamic State
New media, old problems in human rights Dominik Stecula and Trevor Thrall - June 26, 2014 The following is a guest post by Dominik Stecula and
Red pottus, black burqas: Identity markers in Sri Lanka’s extremist violence Nimmi Gowrinathan - June 17, 2014 Kim Yi Dionne: This guest post by political scientist Nimmi
How people in northeast Nigeria protect themselves Laura Seay - May 15, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Borno state Gov. Kashim Shettima speaks
Actually, sometimes terrorism does work Jakana Thomas - April 22, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Twin blasts at a bus
Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency & the value of Fulbright research Brandon Kendhammer - April 15, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Bomb experts search for evidence at
Nigeria's Islamist insurgency & the value of Fulbright research Brandon Kendhammer - April 15, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Bomb experts search for evidence at