Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 23 February, 2026

Executive Assessment

Political fragmentation in Somalia is deepening as election talks collapse, while the federal government simultaneously escalates pressure on Al-Shabaab through sustained leadership-targeted operations. Across the Sahel, coordinated airstrikes in Mali and Burkina Faso indicate continued reliance on kinetic counterterrorism measures, even as JNIM maintains operational tempo in Benin and Burkina Faso. In Nigeria, reciprocal offensives between ISWAP and state forces highlight persistent insurgent capability despite tactical losses. In eastern DRC, AFC/M23 reinforcement and renewed clashes in Masisi signal ongoing ceasefire fragility and sustained instability in North Kivu.

SOMALIA

• Talks between the Federal Government and the opposition regarding the electoral process in Somalia ended without reaching an agreement.

• The Somali Future Council announced that its negotiations with the Federal Government in Somalia concluded without results due to disagreements over the ongoing political crisis and the electoral process.

• The Somali Future Council accused the Federal Government in Somalia of pursuing unilateral constitutional amendments and passing controversial laws through Parliament.

• Somalia’s Minister of Information stated that security forces in Somalia have killed 17 Al-Shabaab commanders over the past six months and that the group is under both military and financial pressure.

• The Minister of Information added that operations in Somalia reflect sustained counterterrorism efforts targeting Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure.

• The Somali Government reiterated its determination to eliminate Al-Shabaab in Somalia but stated that amnesty would be granted to fighters who renounce violence and join rehabilitation programs.

• Local media reported that the Somali Army launched a planned operation in the Hawaadley area of Middle Shabelle, targeting Al-Shabaab militants along the Shabelle River in Somalia.

MALI

• The Malian Army announced that numerous terrorists were neutralized in two airstrikes in Ségou on February 20 and in two additional airstrikes each in Kidal and Diafarabé on February 21 in Mali.

NIGER

• Local sources reported that armed individuals targeted a construction site in Kao and Tchintabaraden in the Tahoua region of Niger.

BENIN

• JNIM claimed that it killed two soldiers, destroyed a military vehicle, and seized rifles in an ambush between Dassari and Gouande in the Atakora department of Benin near the Burkina Faso border; the attack followed the appointment of a new “emir” for the area and the circulation of an audio message by Sadou-Sa’ad, who defected from JNIM to ISSP and accused JNIM of seeking peace agreements with Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, while JNIM continues to threaten countries cooperating with foreign forces.

BURKINA FASO

• JNIM claimed that it seized two RPGs, rifles, and ammunition during an attack on a military post in Malou, Burkina Faso, on February 19.

• The Burkina Faso Army announced that 50 terrorists were neutralized in an airstrike conducted between Diarala and Gourouko in Yanfolila, Burkina Faso.

NIGERIA

• ISWAP claimed that it attacked the Garahamojili camp of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa State, Nigeria, killing two soldiers, burning the camp and three vehicles, and seizing weapons and ammunition.

• The Nigerian Army announced that it killed 15 ISWAP militants, seized numerous weapons, and destroyed motorcycles and huts during offensive operations targeting Lamusheri village near Gujba in Borno State, Nigeria.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

• AFC/M23 reportedly reinforced their positions by sending additional forces to the villages of Mpety and Mindjendje in the Banakindi area of Walikale territory in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

• Heavy clashes were reported between AFC/M23 and Wazalendo fighters in the towns of Kasenyi, Chugi, and Kinigi near the mining town of Rubaya in Masisi territory, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Wazalendo reportedly capturing several villages.

• AFC/M23 claimed that the government coalition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo violated the ceasefire and conducted drone strikes in various parts of Masisi territory.