Executive Summary
Security conditions across the Sahel and Horn of Africa remain unstable, with sustained insurgent attacks and ongoing diplomatic maneuvering. In Niger, authorities blamed jihadist groups for the Niamey airport attack while accusing regional leaders of involvement; U.S.–Niger talks focused on sovereignty and counterterrorism. In Nigeria, Boko Haram released a video of over 100 abducted civilians. In Somalia, AFRICOM conducted airstrikes on Al-Shabaab, and Türkiye delivered military equipment to Mogadishu. In the DRC, Angola proposed a ceasefire between Kinshasa and AFC/M23, though the group questioned the process. In Burkina Faso and Mali, IS-Sahel and JNIM continued attacks against each other and state forces.
This daily brief examines heightened military posturing and strategic deployments amid ongoing diplomatic engagement, as major powers balance deterrence, signaling, and negotiation. It assesses force movements, operational readiness, and alliance dynamics alongside parallel diplomatic tracks, highlighting indicators that shape escalation risk and crisis management across multiple theaters. The brief is designed to support timely situational awareness by contextualizing tactical developments within broader geopolitical and security trends.
NIGER
Nick Checker, Senior Bureau Official for African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, held a phone call with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Zeine, reaffirming U.S. respect for Niger’s sovereignty and discussing counterterrorism and economic priorities.
•President Abdourahamane Tiani stated that the January 28–29 attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey caused approximately 300 million FCFA in damage and was carried out by around 40 motorcycle-borne militants linked to JNIM, IS-Sahel, and Boko Haram.
Abdourahamane Tiani also accused Benin President Patrice Talon, Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara, and French President Emmanuel Macron of being behind the attack targeting Air Base 101 in Niamey.
NIGERIA
Boko Haram released a video showing more than 100 women and children allegedly abducted from Woro in Kaima LGA, Kwara State.
SOMALIA
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that it conducted airstrikes against Al-Shabaab targets near Jamaame, northeast of Kismayo, Somalia, on December 9–10.
A senior bureau official from the U.S. Department of State met Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, expressing appreciation for counterterrorism cooperation and emphasizing expectations for progress on security and accountability.
The Turkish Navy landing ship TCG Sancaktar docked at Mogadishu Port and delivered M-48T2 tanks and ammunition to the Somali army.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that it accepted Angola’s proposal for a ceasefire between the government and the AFC/M23 armed group.
Angolan President João Lourenço proposed a ceasefire to the warring parties in eastern Congo, effective from February 18, following the escalation of fighting.
AFC/M23 stated that it was not informed about the content of Angola’s ceasefire proposal, reaffirmed its commitment only to the Doha process, and accused Kinshasa of attempting to manipulate the process.
The FARDC accused AFC/M23 of setting fire to several civilian homes in Rusankuku, in the Fizi-Uvira highlands, on February 1.
BURKINA FASO
IS-Sahel (ISSP) announced that it carried out an attack against JNIM in Adoudji, killing 23 JNIM militants.
JNIM claimed that taken control of a VDP poınt in Titao,Loroum.
MALI
JNIM claimed that it ambushed army in Hombori, killing six soldiers, destroying a military vehicle, and seizing weapons and ammunition and one soldier was killed ,a military vehicle was destroyed and ammunition and motorcycle were seized in military point attack in Niono.
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