ADF

The remote town of Birao, Central African Republic, sits close to the borders of Chad and Sudan. As a result, it has seen thousands of refugees fleeing Sudan’s civil war cross the border.  “I left with just my children and the clothes on our backs. Our possessions, our home, we had to leave it all behind,” a woman named Fatma told the United Nations Refugee Agency, recalling her journey from Nyala, in Sudan’s South Darfur State, to Birao. Hundreds of thousands of people have crossed the borders in search of safety since the Sudanese civil war began in April 2023.…

In the nearly two decades since the African Union launched its mission to stabilize Somalia, one weapon has wrought the most damage. Again and again, the terror group al-Shabaab has used improvised explosive devices to shatter peace, spread fear and derail progress.   Terrorists plant the bombs, also known as IEDs, on main supply routes, in crowded markets and everywhere in between. The United Nations Mine Action Service called these homemade bombs a “$20 problem requiring a million-dollar solution.” In 2007, the first year of the AU mission, 57 IED attacks were recorded in Somalia. In 2023, 600 IED attacks…

ADF STAFF | Photos by ATMIS In the yearslong war against violent extremism across Africa, countries have tried a range of approaches. Multinational United Nations peacekeeping missions have toiled in the Sahel and elsewhere for years, with mixed results. Similarly, African Union and other regional forces have worked tirelessly to bring peace and stability to places such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, northern Mozambique and Somalia. Each effort provides a frustrating mixture of successes and failures, advances and retreats. The limitations of military forces are clear: They can bring to bear lethal force and guarantee a degree of…

Tourism, nightlife and new businesses have returned around Mogadishu’s Lido Beach and throughout the city. But one Friday night in August 2024, as music blared and hundreds relaxed along the beach, a suicide bomber detonated his vest. Several gun-wielding extremists opened fire on the crowd.  “On the streets nearby, people were fleeing an all-too-familiar threat,” said a report from Channel 4 News. “Al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabaab said they carried out this attack, as they have so many others over nearly two decades. Somali police said three of the attackers were killed along with the suicide bomber and one taken into custody. A…

As 2024 ended, Sahel security remained dire. Terror attacks led by an affiliate of the Islamic State (IS) group were a near daily occurrence, and the region accounted for nearly half of all global terrorism deaths. At least 2.8 million people were forced to flee their homes, including 2.1 million in Burkina Faso alone. Extremist groups expanded control of territory inside the military-led countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and were threatening coastal states.  West African leaders called for a shared response to the crisis.  “The magnitude and complexity of the problem are alarming and require concerted action,” Dr.…

The Cameroon Army is equipping its special forces with Turkish-made MPT-76 assault rifles. Developed in the late 2000s for the Turkish military, the MPT-76 is often likened to the AR-15 rifle and shares visual similarities with the German HK-417, according to The Defense Post. The rifle is chambered for NATO-standard 7.62x51mm ammunition. The first prototypes were built in 2008 using smaller ammunition but were poorly received by Turkish Soldiers. It was redesigned for NATO ammo. It has a 20-round magazine and fires 650 rounds per minute. The MPT-76 comes in three barrel lengths, but the version used by Cameroon is…

Tunisia is on track to buy an undisclosed number of 20-meter Archangel patrol boats from the United States at an estimated total cost of $110 million. The purchase will include GPS, navigation and communications systems, and training. “The proposed sale will better equip Tunisia to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability, and build interoperability with the United States and Western partners,” the U.S. State Department announced. It added that the Tunisian Navy uses such boats for “search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and other maritime-related operations to ensure security in the country and region.” Tunisia bought similar Archangels…

Nigeria’s Proforce has introduced a new armored vehicle, the PF Hulk, designed for military troop and equipment transportation. The company said the mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle can withstand an 8-kilogram antitank mine under any wheel and under the center, and armor-piercing rounds and high-explosive shells. It can carry up to 10 people and supports the installation of weapon systems and other special equipment. It also can tow trailered systems. It has a range of 1,000 kilometers. The Hulk is the latest on a growing list of Proforce armored vehicles. In July 2022, the company unveiled the lightweight PF Fury vehicle,…

Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate in Singapore ranked the Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Center first among 54 African countries in 2024. Among other achievements, the center recoverd $5.6 million in stolen funds, arrested 751 people suspected of cybercrime and seized 785 devices used in attacks. Nigeria is the most cybercrime-affected country in Africa and has launched programs to combat crimes such as identity theft, SIM card-related crime and ransomware. The country has acted to modernize its laws to keep up with new crimes. “We cannot succeed in the fight against cybercrime in isolation,” said Mohammed Isah, head of Interpol’s Cybercrime…

Liberia signed a deal with SpaceX’s Starlink that it hopes will expand internet access across the country. The licensing agreement launched in November 2024 with promises to bring satellite-based internet services to homes in even the most remote corners of Liberia. “For the first time in our country’s history, we are making universal internet access a reality,” said Liberian Telecommunications Authority Acting Chairperson Abdullah Kamara. “This agreement will allow Starlink to deliver high-speed internet to every village, town and community, no matter how remote. It is a proud moment.” When complete, the service could boost internet coverage from 60% to…