Has Kenya’s participation in AMISOM bolstered them as a regional power?

Africa, Al Shabaab, AMISOM, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Focus On Militias, Islamist Violence, Political Stability, Pro-Government Militias, Vigilante Militias, Violence Against Civilians
On 12 June, the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) partners gathered in Nairobi to evaluate the current military stabilization projects in the wake of the nine year al Shabaab insurgency (New Vision Uganda, 12 June 2018).…

Regional Overview – Africa 28 May 2018

ADF, Africa, Al Shabaab, Analysis, Civilians At Risk, Conflict Monitoring, Current Hotspots, Focus On Militias, Islamist Violence, Political Stability, Remote Violence, Rioting And Protests, Violence Against Civilians
There were important developments in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, the DRC and Somalia on the week of May 20th. In Burkina Faso, the state forces likely thwarted another major attack by Islamist militants in the capital, Ouagadougou.…

Somalia – Has the recent western involvement in Somalia been effective?

Africa, Al Shabaab, Civilians At Risk, Islamic State, Remote Violence, Violence Against Civilians
Since July 2017, the United States-AFRICOM has dramatically escalated activities in Somalia. This involvement relies heavily on the use of unmanned drones, typically targeting high-profile al-Shabaab figures. Over this period, the US has conducted 44 known air strikes, resulting in nearly 400 fatalities (see Figure 1).…

Al Shabaab and Boko Haram: Patterns of Violence

Africa, Al Shabaab, Analysis, Boko Haram, Islamic State, Political Stability, Unidentified Armed Groups, Violence Against Civilians
Which group is the most violent in Africa? A recent report exploring Africa’s active militant Islamic groups aimed to tackle this question. The report, produced by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), argued that Somalia’s Al Shabaab has eclipsed Nigeria’s Boko Haram, to become “Africa’s deadliest group”.…