If you're ready for the deepest of dives, we've listed and mapped all the major groups and subgroups involved in the conflict. See our interactive map of Sudan's armed groups here: africacenter.org/spo... 2/2

If you're following the Sudan war you know the basics: SAF v RSF. If you've been tracking it carefully you know it's more complicated, with national, regional, and tribal armed groups as well as Islamist groups and foreign fighters. (See the image for just the groups affiliated with the SAF.) 1/2

In neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, for example, militant Islamist groups have inserted themselves within artisanal mining economies to generate revenue, expand local influence, and finance their violent insurgencies. It's also an environmental disaster. africacenter.org/spo... 5/5

Weakly governed mining sectors leave Ghana vulnerable to exploitation by violent extremist organizations, as has happened elsewhere in West Africa. 4/5

This includes the large-scale influx of Chinese operators, capital, & equipment that accelerated the sector’s mechanization over the past two decades. This transformed galamsey from a largely informal activity into a parallel political economy operating beyond government oversight. 3/5

This has attracted criminal networks, leading to the deaths of more than 50 security personnel and over 120 civilians in recent years. Local illegal mining networks have also become intertwined with cross-border gold smuggling routes, illicit financial flows, and foreign actors. 2/5

Why is gold mining in Ghana becoming a security crisis for West Africa? The country has seen the rise of a massive economy of illicit gold mining called "galamsey". 1/5

African nations would benefit from adopting a more comprehensive approach to external engagements—an approach that welcomes free and open national conversations where policymakers and thought leaders critically assess proposed security engagements. africacenter.org/spo... 2/2

African scholars have found that Chinese security assistance increases the coercive capacity of recipient governments, to repress opposition parties and violate human rights. This is nothing new, but it is a growing trend as Beijing increasingly militarizes its African engagements. 1/2

China weaponizes its position in refining critical minerals by limiting exports to rivals, requiring licenses for products containing even minimal Chinese content, and banning exports with potential military uses. This has set off a push for China-free supply chains. africacenter.org/spo... 2/2

Beijing's dominance of global minerals: • half of global critical minerals production • 87% of processing and refining • 70% of rare earth minerals production • 93% of high-strength rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing • 95% of the necessary heavy processing of critical minerals 1/2

China’s military strategy in Africa is advancing China’s goal of achieving “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by 2049.” But is it advancing Africa's goals? Defenders point to capacity-building, but critics worry Africa may be entangled in geostrategic rivalries. africacenter.org/spo...

L'expérience du Sénégal en Casamance montre que l'instauration d'un climat de confiance entre les forces de sécurité et les communautés locales est un moyen pratique essentiel pour obtenir leur coopération et prévenir toute mobilisation vers la violence. africacenter.org/fr/...

If Africans are to benefit from the latest surge in global demand for African minerals, governments must learn from past experiences and build transparent processes that advance stability and benefit ordinary citizens. africacenter.org/spo... 2/2

Previous eras of natural resource extraction from Africa have been highly disruptive, contributing to the "resource curse", where countries with relatively more abundant natural resources tended to become more autocratic, corrupt, and conflict prone while lagging in their development. 1/2

Africa’s reliance on foreign suppliers for technology infrastructure is widely seen as a major cybersecurity vulnerability. Explore the ways African countries can reap the benefits from externally supplied technology while safeguarding their critical infrastructure: africacenter.org/spo...

São Tomé and Príncipe heads to the polls this weekend for the country's eighth cycle of presidential elections since the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991. Here's the electoral summary you need: africacenter.org/spo...

Or if you prefer, here's a list of the main armed groups across the whole country. But be sure to read the article—even groups on the same "side" don't always get along, and loyalties are mot always permanent. See our breakdown: africacenter.org/spo... 2/2

Have you seen our new map of Sudan's armed groups? It's much more complicated than just SAF v. RSF. Visit the link below and mouse over each state for a fuller list. (As an example, here's just the groups in North Darfur.) africacenter.org/spo... 1/2

Step one is surely to encourage fresh ideas—not to silence anyone who acknowledges the obvious truth about these juntas' track record on security. See our Spotlight for more on security in the Sahel: africacenter.org/spo... 5/5

Patterns of repression and violent crackdowns extend to Mali and Niger as well—where juntas are expending precious time and resources making enemies out of their own people. What would a much-needed course correction look like? 4/5

In January 2026, the junta dissolved all political parties after nearly three years of suspension. In April, more than 100 nongovernmental organizations and civil society associations were dissolved. There's more, and not just in Burkina Faso. 3/5

In 2025, several magistrates and an attorney went missing following a politically sensitive judicial proceeding. Other magistrates prosecuted in a high-profile corruption case in February 2026 alleged that they had been abducted, unlawfully detained, and tortured during the investigation. 2/5

Burkinabè investigative journalist Serge Oulon disappeared after being detained in 2024. He remains unaccounted for. Many other leading journalists have faced repeated arrests, detentions, and forcible conscription by Burkina Faso's ruling junta. 1/5

China’s integration in African maritime ecosystems extends well beyond port construction. China is a major financier and operator of African road, rail, and warehousing infrastructure linked to these ports, closely intertwining African trade networks with China. africacenter.org/spo...

There are an estimated 150 militias active in Sudan. Military & paramilitary forces, tribal militias, Islamist brigades, community defense groups, criminal gangs, foreign mercenaries, they comprise a wide range of motivations, organizational structures, and training levels. africacenter.org/spo...

The Sudan crisis is complex—much more than just SAF v. RSF. There are dozens of groups—local, national, foreign. We've captured them in a helpful interactive map. This is not that map—this is a static version, but you can see the interactive map here: africacenter.org/spo...

Sudan's SAF and RSF operate as shifting coalitions of armed groups rather than unified organizational structures. We've mapped out dozens of these groups. Click the link for the interactive map. africacenter.org/spo...

Épidémie d’Ebola en RDC : explication Afin d’endiguer la nouvelle épidémie d’Ebola qui sévit dans l’est de la RDC, une mobilisation soutenue des acteurs régionaux et internationaux est nécessaire pour surmonter l’insécurité, l’inaccessibilité et la désinformation. africacenter.org/fr/...

China’s efforts in institution-building and professional development don't get a lot of headlines, but they are subtly influencing African maritime governance architectures and standards. This puts Africans' strategic autonomy at risk. africacenter.org/spo...