Africa Defense Forum - Africa Defense Forum

In the short history of Burkina Faso, one name towers above the rest: Thomas Sankara. Born into a working-class Catholic family in the northern town of Yako, Sankara entered the military at age 19. He rose through the ranks, impressing his…

CLUES This former Roman colony was founded in the first century, during the reign of the Emperor Nerva. The site has a large collection of mosaic pavings, illustrating myths and daily life. At 900 meters above sea level, the site…

For decades, Africa has been host to many of the world’s peacekeeping missions. This has been challenging, but one benefit is that African nations now boast some of the world’s most experienced and well-trained peacekeepers. Year after…

In September 2014, Ugandan authorities discovered an al-Shabaab terrorist cell operating in our biggest city, Kampala. Explosives were discovered in the raid, and there is little doubt that this group of terrorists had no other intention…

REUTERS Côte d’Ivoire is increasing rice production and processing in hopes of beginning exports in 2018 and generating more than a million jobs. The country, better known as the world’s biggest cocoa producer, is investing about $4…

BBC NEWS AT BBC.CO.UK/NEWS Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan formally launched a national electronic identity card in August 2014, which all Nigerians will need by 2019 if they want to vote. Jonathan received the first biometric card,…

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE The dunes of Merzouga tower over the small community in southeastern Morocco, where the Berber Ait Atta tribe makes a brisk living from tourism. For years, the formerly nomadic tribesmen have been running hotels and…

VOICE OF AMERICA In Liberia’s capital, the hit song Ebola in Town has a danceable beat and conveys a serious message about avoiding infection. Three Liberian musicians came up with the song idea in May 2014 after thinking that people…

COL. DANIEL HAMPTON AFRICA CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES Hampton, a senior military advisor at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), has served 29 years with the United States Army as an infantry officer and foreign area officer,…

African Nations Participate in Missions On and Off the Continent Africa has been a major contributor and a major recipient of peace operations over the years. In the 21st century alone, more than 50 peace operations have been deployed to…