CEP – KAS: Sahel Monitoring May 2024

The month of May saw a significant increase in social media output from both the Islamic State as well as JNIM–as was expected given the continuous rise of online activities of both groups in recent months. The number of statements published during the month of May reached their highest point since reporting began in December 2022. 151 statements were released by the Islamic State’s branches and JNIM, al-Qaeda’s representative in the Sahel.

Rape is being weaponised in Sudan’s war with no justice in sight

As the humanitarian crisis in Sudan intensifies, sexual violence is used to terrorise women & girls, international solidarity is needed, writes Nina Masore.

With the conflict in Sudan now in its second year, the nation is mired in a devastating humanitarian crisis. Compounding the suffering is the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war to punish specific communities and allied militias, and to subjugate, terrorise, and break women and girls. The UN and local human rights groups have recorded numerous incidents of rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery. Many of the victims are children.

Rethinking Responses To Coups In West Africa – Analysis

ECOWAS should use its special summit on regional integration in 2025 to reconsider its approach to managing coups.

Recurrent coups since 2020 and the decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reveal the region’s deep governance and democracy challenges.

Militant Islamist Groups Advancing in Mali

The recent militant Islamist attack in Bamako is part of a broader push by violent extremist groups into southern Mali and reflective of the deteriorating security in Mali under military rule.

Investigating How Conflict and War Contribute to Methane Emissions

How can reporters learn from new tools about specific causes of methane leaks in conflict-affected areas? We have examined some of the recent conflict hotspots across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) — namely Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya — to identify what the major sources of methane release are in the region, as well as to better understand how conflicts around the world could damage existing infrastructure and governance and lead to more emissions.

Why West Africa is now the world’s terrorism hotspot

Having slipped undetected into Mali’s capital weeks ago, the jihadis struck just before dawn prayers. They killed dozens of students at an elite police training academy, stormed Bamako’s airport and set the presidential jet on fire.

CEP – KAS: Sahel Monitoring May 2024

The month of May saw a significant increase in social media output from both the Islamic State as well as JNIM–as was expected given the continuous rise of online activities of both groups in recent months. The number of statements published during the month of May reached their highest point since reporting began in December 2022. 151 statements were released by the Islamic State’s branches and JNIM, al-Qaeda’s representative in the Sahel.