Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 25 March, 2026

Executive Summary

Security dynamics across the Sahel and Central Africa remain volatile, with insurgent groups sustaining operational tempo while states pursue parallel military and political responses. In Mali and Burkina Faso, JNIM and FLA activity highlights continued asymmetric pressure on military positions, while Nigeria faces both logistical support networks and direct attacks on its forces. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, simultaneous military operations, insurgent claims, and reported withdrawals point to a fluid battlefield shaped by both kinetic pressure and ongoing diplomatic engagement. Somalia reflects a dual-track approach, combining counterterrorism cooperation with international partners and a reintegration strategy aimed at weakening extremist recruitment pipelines. At the regional level, Niger’s deepening cooperation with Algeria and planned trilateral coordination with Nigeria signal a growing emphasis on cross-border security and strategic infrastructure, particularly energy corridors. Overall, the environment indicates persistent insurgent capability alongside increasing state coordination, with outcomes likely to hinge on the effectiveness of combined military pressure and regional cooperation mechanisms.