Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 15 April, 2026

Executive Summary

Operational tempo across the Sahel remains elevated, with JNIM intensifying multi-point attacks in Burkina Faso, demonstrating sustained territorial ambition and tactical coordination against both military and auxiliary VDP positions. Concurrently, **ISSP activity in Niger and Mali** indicates continued pressure on security forces and affiliated militias, while the **Malian army’s operations near Sandare** suggest ongoing counteroffensive efforts to disrupt insurgent mobility and logistics. In **Nigeria**, the security environment remains volatile, with **Boko Haram and ISWAP maintaining attack capability**, while reported reprisals by security forces against civilian infrastructure risk exacerbating local grievances and undermining counterinsurgency efforts. In **Somalia**, **large-scale airstrikes against Al-Shabaab** reflect continued reliance on partner-enabled kinetic operations, amid **growing political uncertainty** that could complicate governance and security coordination. In the **Democratic Republic of the Congo **sustained clashes involving AFC-M23, FARDC, and Wazalendo** are driving significant civilian displacement, while **restrictions on humanitarian access** highlight worsening protection conditions and operational constraints for aid actors. Overall, the regional picture reflects **simultaneous escalation in insurgent activity, state military responses, and civilian vulnerability across multiple theaters**.