Increased regional cooperation in the fight against Boko Haram has yielded some positive results, but participating countries will need to significantly improve their counterterrorism capabilities to stand a chance at eradicating the group, writes Gabrielle Reid.
A slow start to the new presidency has caused investors to fret. The real work is yet to begin, writes Paul Adams.
In an unprecedented decision, on 1 September Kenya's Supreme Court annulled, by a margin of 4 to 2, President Kenyatta's election victory of the previous month. As Kenya waits for the re-run, currently scheduled for 17 October, Ben Connery considers the impact on Kenya's longer-term political and economic prospects.
Having won office on a campaign of zero tolerance for graft and the promise of government efficiency, Tanzanian President John Magufuli's populist fervor has since turned to the country's mining sector. While it is clear the incumbent has long-term development goals in mind, short-term losses in investor confidence will prove costly, writes Gabrielle…
The ruling administration faces significant challenges ahead of the general elections in 2018, including calls for a united opposition, unprecedented civil unrest and deepening fractions within the party. The volatile situation is likely to make for a violent election season, writes Reinet Loubser
The second quarter of 2017 has seen a resurgence in Somalia-based pirate attacks against commercial vessels. This comes as key partners prematurely scale back counterpiracy operations despite onshore drivers of this maritime threat, writes Gabrielle Reid
Although Kenya has experienced an increase in Al Shabaab attacks in its northern counties in recent months, fears regarding a potential resurgence in high-profile kidnap and ransom initiatives may be premature, writes Reinet Loubser
A two-year downturn in the People's Republic of China's (PRC) trade with, and investment in, Sub-Saharan Africa, has seen Turkey emerge as a new player in the continent through its pursuit of a non-coercive ‘soft power' approach, writes Thomas Parker
Although April 2017 will be an important month in South Africa's democratic trajectory, decisions within the ruling party, expected to come to the fore in December 2017, remain the primary determinant in the country's future, writes Gabrielle Reid
Given the fractured security and political environment in the DRC, the likelihood of more brazen and sophisticated kidnappings targeting foreign nationals appears to be increasing, writes Gabrielle Reid
Uganda has long been a key player in military interventions in the East Africa region. The February 2017 decision to rule out military intervention in neighbouring South Sudan, however, could shed new light on a pending shift in Uganda's regional involvement, writes Gabrielle Reid