Africa: UN Peacekeepers and Civilians Killed During Clashes in Disputed Abyei Region

[ad_1] Armed youth from rival factions of the Dinka ethnic group have been battling over the location of an administrative boundary in the oil-rich region, claimed by both countries, according to media reports. The UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) reported that clashes erupted on Saturday in the Nyinkuac, Majbong and Khadian areas, leading to casualties and the evacuation of civilians to its bases. Refuge from violence UNISFA is engaging with local authorities to verify the numbers of those […]

January 31, 2024

Africa

Africa: AU Troops Handover Seven Military Bases to Somali Army

[ad_1] Mogadishu — ATMIS officially handed over 7 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to the Federal Government of Somalia at a ceremony in Mogadishu, marking the completion of Phase Two of the ATMIS Drawdown as per UNSC Resolution 2710. Two others were closed making it a total of 9 FOBs. Official documents were signed between #Somalia's National Security Adviser, Hussein Moalim, and SRCC & Head of ATMIS Souef Mohamed El-Amine and UNSOS OIC, Qurat-ul Ain Sadozai, at the ATMIS Mission HQs. […]

January 30, 2024

Africa

Africa: The Minerva Research Initiative – The Military-University-Industry Complex Targets Africa

[ad_1] The Pentagon launched the Minerva Research Initiative in 2008 as a “DoD-sponsored, university-based social science research initiative that focuses on areas of strategic importance to the US national security policy.” It is intended “to identify and support basic social science research issues in need of attention and to integrate those research insights into the policy-making environment.” Each spring, the DoD announces three-year grants (which can be extended up to five years. In his announcement of grants on 24 February […]

January 24, 2024

Africa

Africa: Diplomatic Dip for France as African Nations Seek Out Stronger Partners

[ad_1] French diplomacy in Africa weakened considerably in 2023 as former allies steered their foreign policies elsewhere in the wake of military coups and general political upheaval. A new law making it harder for foreigners to immigrate to France has compounded matters. French interests in Africa face monumental challenges in 2024 - especially following the toppling of leaders in Niger and Burkina Faso - which, like Mali, are former French military strongholds in the restive Sahel region. A lengthy partnership […]

January 6, 2024

Arms and Military Affairs