Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 24 March, 2026

Executive Summary

Escalation patterns remain concentrated in Mali, eastern DRC and Somalia, while Niger and Nigeria saw parallel security diplomacy and internal security actions. In Mali, sustained army operations in Gao, Sikasso and Ségou point to continued offensive pressure against armed groups, although the dispute over the drones near Gao underscores persistent information contestation around FLA activity. In eastern DRC, AFC/M23 remains operationally active despite a reported setback in Masisi, with force consolidation in Walikale indicating continued intent to hold and expand its positions. In Somalia, tensions between the federal government and Southwest State remain politically and militarily significant, though the reported agreement to reopen flights and hold talks in Baidoa suggests a narrow opening for de-escalation. In Niger and Nigeria, high-level external engagement with Algeria and the EU respectively coincided with ongoing internal security measures, reflecting efforts to reinforce both regional diplomacy and domestic counterterrorism capacity.