ADF

Senegal has begun building West Africa’s first optical astronomical observatory near Thies.  The observatory, overseen by the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies, will add to the country’s growing reputation as a leader in space research, innovation and training. It will include a 600 mm optical telescope designed for precision observation and the study of celestial phenomena, and four Celestron telescopes with deep-sky research and astrophotography capability.  Senegal’s space sector leaders say it’s part of a national push to open new possibilities and position the country to compete in the high-tech, global economy.  “We want the young generations not only to…

Ethiopia and Nigeria are joining forces to develop a fleet of African-made aerial drones capable of civilian and military applications. In July 2025, Ethiopian officials hosted members of the Nigerian Air Force on tours of Ethiopia’s aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities. Nigeria has promised the Ethiopians a reciprocal visit focused on Nigeria’s military training institutions. The visits are the latest step toward increasing the number of indigenous African unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in a market flooded by technology imported from China, Iran and Turkey.  By pooling resources, two of the continent’s most experienced dronemakers and users can develop a homegrown…

Senegalese and Mauritanian armed forces have intensified joint security operations along their shared border in response to growing terrorism in the region.  Both militaries patrolled a river covering several localities between Bakel-Aroundou and Diougountourou on the Malian border in October 2025, according to Senegal’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (DIRPA). This comes after a September joint ground patrol in the same area. The countries, separated by the Senegal River, have established closer collaboration as terror groups in western Mali try to exploit weaknesses and push toward the coast. In July 2025, the terror group Jama’at…

Somalia has unveiled a national strategy designed to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the weapon of choice for terror group al-Shabaab. The effort has been in the works since 2023, when experts conducted a baseline assessment of the country’s C-IED capabilities. The strategy, announced at a September 2025 event in Mogadishu, provides a framework for adding more explosive ordnance disposal units to the Somali National Army and improving interagency collaboration. “This is a historic milestone for our country. Never before have we had a unified, nationally owned framework to address the IED threat,” said Awes Hagi Yusuf Ahmed, Somalia’s national…

Le Nigeria a annoncé des plans pour ouvrir un musée des Forces armées qui, selon lui, honorera son héritage militaire en préservant le passé et encourageant des études pour guider son avenir. Le général Christopher Musa, à l’époque chef d’état-major de la Défense du Nigeria, a décrit le projet comme initiative emblématique et déclaré qu’il ouvrirait ses portes en 2026 sur un terrain de 4 hectares à Abuja. « Il servira non seulement de recueil d’articles militaires et d’archives de service, mais aussi de centre pour les opportunités éducatives, touristiques et économiques. » On anticipe que le musée va créer des…

Le Nigeria a annoncé des plans pour ouvrir un musée des Forces armées qui, selon lui, honorera son héritage militaire en préservant le passé et encourageant des études pour guider son avenir. Le général Christopher Musa, à l’époque chef d’état-major de la Défense du Nigeria, a décrit le projet comme initiative emblématique et déclaré qu’il ouvrirait ses portes en 2026 sur un terrain de 4 hectares à Abuja. « Il servira non seulement de recueil d’articles militaires et d’archives de service, mais aussi de centre pour les opportunités éducatives, touristiques et économiques. » On anticipe que le musée va créer des…

Nigeria announced plans to open an Armed Forces Museum that it says will honor its military heritage by preserving the past and promoting scholarship to guide its future.  Gen. Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s then-chief of defense staff, described the project as a landmark initiative and said it would open in 2026 on 10 acres in Abuja. “It will serve not only as a repository of military artifacts and service records but also as a hub for education, tourism and economic opportunities,” Musa said. The museum is expected to create jobs for veterans and civilians and will feature multilingual, immersive education programs…

The Mauritanian defense minister and his Czech counterpart have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in military training, defense technologies, and special forces and peacekeeping training. It includes provisions for sharing Czech expertise when needed and mutual visits, according to intelligence website Groupe ADIT. The deal also enables intelligence sharing and counterterrorism and cybersecurity cooperation. The countries will collaborate on protection against chemical, radiological, nuclear and cyber threats, ADIT reported. The pact solidifies Czechia’s commitment to training Mauritania’s armed forces for two years. The collaboration, supported by NATO, builds on a growing relationship that Czech President Petr Pavel initiated…

France joined the South African Navy’s annual force preparation exercise, Red Lion, which concluded in late August 2025. The Navy conducted the three-week program across multiple sites nationwide. It put naval crews, vessels and support units through a series of drills designed to sharpen their abilities in diverse scenarios from maritime combat to disaster response, Military Africa reported. The exercise involved military personnel and civilian agencies. The operation emphasized practical simulations that mirrored real-world challenges such as civil unrest and natural disasters affecting public safety and security. It included simulated media interactions to handle public communications during crises, briefings on…

To secure Africa’s longest coastline, Somalia has signed a 10-year partnership with Turkey for maritime security and law enforcement. Somalia loses $300 million a year to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing along its 3,300-kilometer coastline on the northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, according to the Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organized Crime (ENACT) project. Somalia has been plagued with terrorism, piracy, weak governance, political instability and ineffective law enforcement. Most illegal fishing in Somalia is carried out by foreign fishing vessels. A Mogadishu-based researcher told ENACT that some foreign vessel operators illegally obtain fishing licenses, making it impossible…