Regions
  • ARTICLES

    W(h)ither the Islamic State? The Sri Lanka Bombings and the Future of IS

    Following the effective collapse of the Islamic State caliphate across Syria and Iraq in February 2019, the terrorist group appears to have extended its reach to new territories including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sri Lanka. In the space of one week, Islamic State took credit for terror attacks in both countries. Markus Korhonen places these… 

  • ARTICLES

    Will the Centre Hold? Key Security Challenges in Buhari's Second Term

    Nigeria’s incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari, secured a second term in office in the February presidential election, but he will have little time to celebrate his victory. The president will need to buckle down and address key security concerns hampering Africa’s largest economy, writes Joschka Opitz.

  • ARTICLES

    Coup’d up in Gabon: Challenges in central Africa’s stable state

    The recent coup d’état attempt in Gabon came as a surprise to many who have viewed the country as a beacon of stability among its central African neighbours. However, inherent vulnerabilities were present in Gabon’s political structures. These continue to exist, indicating an unstable political future for Gabon, writes Joschka Opitz.

  • ARTICLES

    A Threat Reawakened: Al Shabaab’s terror campaign in Kenya

    On 15 January, four gunmen stormed the dusitD2 hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya, in the first complex terrorist attack in the city in six years. Al Shabaab’s latest assault points to the persistent terrorism threat in Kenya, writes Gabrielle Reid.

  • ARTICLES

    2019: Elections to Watch

    Several significant elections are scheduled to take place around the world in 2019, and we review a number of these in this article. From Nigeria to Indonesia, Ukraine and Libya, the outcome of the 2019 electoral season will not only determine the sociopolitical and economic trajectories of individual countries, but also impact domestic and regional… 

  • ARTICLES

    DRC Elections: The Outlook for Foreign Investors

    Following the widely contested presidential election result in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tristan Puri provides an overview of the current political uncertainty in the country. This briefing note highlights the threats presented to foreign investors by the possibility of escalating violence, potential further sanctions on DRC officials, and… 

  • ARTICLES

    Kidnap for Ransom: A Year in Review

    In this article, we examine the main kidnapping trends and incidents of 2018 from around the world, and look at some emerging trends likely to persist in 2019.

  • ARTICLES

    In Focus: Operational Risks in Cameroon

    Cameroon has regularly failed to attract the same levels of foreign direct investment as its Central African peers, despite boasting one of the most diversified and stable economies in the region. Following recent in-country research, our sub-Saharan Africa team provides an overview of three key operational risks to investors in the market.

  • ARTICLES

    The Overstretched Arm of the Law: Media Freedom in East Africa

    New legislation in Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique will lead to worsening restrictions for freedom of the press and freedom of expression in these jurisdictions, increasing the threat of detention against journalists and political commentators, writes Gabrielle Reid.