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
According to Reporters San Frontières (RSF), at the start of 2017, 178 journalists were imprisoned across the world, with 23 of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. With a worsening conflict in South Sudan and a state of emergency facilitating a greater government clampdown in Ethiopia, the number of cases is likely to remain high.
Despite several calls for local militants to join the ranks of Islamic State,traction in East Africa has been limited to date. However, the group nowlooks to be on the road to greater success in the region,writes Gabrielle Reid