ADF

ADF STAFF The world was shocked last year at the deaths of nearly 70 children in The Gambia that were linked to cough syrup from India. The medicines contained “unacceptable” levels of diethylene and ethylene glycol, and the children developed acute kidney problems after taking the medicines, which may have been distributed through informal markets, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The incidents, which WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus characterized as “beyond heartbreaking,” highlighted a trend of illicit drug and medicine trafficking to and from the Sahel region and West Africa. Illegal drugs and medicines kill nearly 500,000 people…

ADF STAFF Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made it clear after winning a second term last year that defeating al-Shabaab is the government’s main priority. The terrorist group has indiscriminately killed civilians, battled government forces and held swaths of territory since 2006. Mohamud called for the increased mobilization of local militias known as “Ma’awisley” to complement operations by Somali forces, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and other allies. “You are either with us or with al-Shabaab, and there can be nothing in between,” Mohamud said in a televised address. The government provides clan militias with logistical support,…

ADF STAFF Although military and intelligence operations have weakened al-Qaida in recent years, the extremist group is trying to make a comeback, and its focus is on Africa. A recent report by Modern Diplomacy noted that the “primary focus” of al-Qaida’s growth and development seems to be Africa. The Washington Post also reported that “the central zone of Islamist-related violence has shifted away from the Middle East and South Asia” and now focuses on Africa. Sahel expert Andrew Lebovich said that in recent years, al-Qaida has been particularly involved in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin. “Even where some…

ADF STAFF For two days, members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) defended a military industrial facility in Yarmouk from attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On June 7, as a fire blazed near the site, the RSF posted a video claiming to have taken control of a warehouse filled with firearms and ammunition. For experts tracking the violence, incidents like this confirm a fear that weapons could be looted and circulate inside and out of the country. “Anywhere there are security breaches at weapons stockpile facilities then, yes, some of that materiel may find its way across…

ADF STAFF As its battlefield losses mount in Ukraine, Russia is looking to Mali as a way to obtain weapons and circumvent international sanctions. Since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has lost more than 2,000 tanks — about two-thirds of its inventory — and 1,800 infantry fighting vehicles. That is according to Oryx, a Dutch warfare research group, which reported that Russia has lost more than 5,000 pieces of equipment since the fighting began. Of those losses, almost 3,200 pieces of equipment were destroyed, and Ukraine captured another 1,400. “This list only includes destroyed vehicles and equipment of which photo…

ADF STAFF Few countries are controlled as tightly by one man as is Eritrea. Having recently marked 30 years of independence, Eritrea has never held a national election and has only ever known one head of state. Ranked as one of the most repressive countries in the world, it severely limits free speech, freedom of religion and demands decades of national service from its citizens. At its center is President Isaias Afwerki, 77, the former guerilla leader of the country’s struggle for independence. Critics say he has created a “pariah state.” “What North Korea means to the world … That’s…

ADF STAFF After more than a decade of heavy borrowing from China, the bill is coming due for some African countries that find themselves teetering on the brink of economic collapse. China ranks as the largest single lender to African countries, holding more than $73 billion in debt across the continent. In places such as Angola — China’s biggest African borrower — and Zambia, government borrowing from China has paid for high-priced infrastructure projects from stadiums to railroads. “In a lot of the world, the clock has hit midnight,” Harvard University economist Ken Rogoff told The Associated Press recently. “China…

ADF STAFF In 2021, Kenya launched a program to send 400 police officers each year to China for training, despite concerns that China’s authoritarian approach to policing conflicts with Kenyan laws protecting free speech and human rights. In recent years, China has signed policing agreements with 40 African countries to train thousands of law enforcement officers, presidential guards and other non-military security officials. Together they make up about 35% of foreign security forces receiving training by China’s Ministry of Public Security. The training has two goals: first, to introduce police officers to Chinese-style policing that emphasizes control of the population…

ADF STAFF In late 2022, Togolese gendarmes stormed a restaurant in a counterterrorism exercise that simulated a response to a terrorist attack. For Togo, this type of training has become all the more urgent as violence spreads from the Sahel toward coastal nations. Togo was mostly spared from extremist violence until last year, when attacks near the northern border began to increase. Togolese authorities have reported at least five attacks claimed by groups affiliated with al-Qaida or the Islamic State since January. The violence prompted the government to extend a six-month state of emergency in the northern Savanes region that shares…

ADF STAFF Less than two years after Guinea’s military seized power from then-President Alpha Condé, the junta is facing a wave of protests. Violence erupted in the capital of Conakry in May with anti-junta demonstrators throwing stones and burning makeshift barricades and tires. Police opened fire with tear gas and bullets. More protests were planned for May 17 after organizers reported that seven people were killed and 32 injured on May 10. But when people gathered to rally in the capital, they found Soldiers and armored vehicles waiting. Minister of Territorial Administration Mory Condé read a statement on national television,…