Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 27 February, 2026

Executive Assessment

Security dynamics across the Sahel and the Horn of Africa remain highly volatile. In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, intensified operations by the Congolese Army and allied Wazalendo militias against AFC/M23 indicate continued escalation, with the discovery of mass graves in Uvira likely to increase political and humanitarian pressure.

In Somalia, official statements highlighting Türkiye’s support underscore sustained external security partnerships and continued momentum in counter-Al-Shabaab operations.

In Niger and northern Benin, simultaneous village attacks and the targeting of security infrastructure point to persistent insurgent and armed group activity across border regions. In Nigeria, the repulsion of an ISWAP attack in Borno reflects ongoing operational pressure by jihadist groups despite military containment efforts.

At the regional level, AES member states are consolidating political and security coordination, framing recent attacks and destabilization attempts as externally supported threats, while signaling intent to reinforce collective resilience and security posture.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

• The Congolese Army and Wazalendo militias continued their attacks in the Masisi area of North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to retake villages held by AFC/M23; the army reportedly targeted AFC/M23 positions with drone strikes as clashes intensified.

• According to a local news outlet, two mass graves were discovered in areas of Uvira, North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had recently been seized by AFC/M23 and later abandoned under pressure.

SOMALIA

• Somalia’s Minister of Information, Daud Aweys Jama, stated that Türkiye’s support enabled Somali security forces to achieve significant success in operations against Al-Shabaab, maintain control of key areas, and eliminate senior Al-Shabaab leaders.

NIGER

• Local sources claimed that 26 pro-government militiamen were killed in simultaneous attacks on four villages in Niger.

NIGERIA

• The Nigerian Army announced that it successfully repelled an ആക്രമations carried out by suspected ISWAP terrorists in Konduga, northeastern Borno State, Nigeria.

BENIN

• According to local sources, armed men targeted and set fire to a police station in the town of Kouandé in northern Benin; no casualties were reported.

BURKINA FASO

• Senior officials from the Defense and Security, Diplomacy, and Development sectors of AES member states held a meeting in the capital of Burkina Faso on 24–25 February 2026 to review the draft Roadmap prepared for the Confederation’s second year.

• The ministers of AES member states condemned terrorist activities and their alleged foreign state sponsors seeking to prevent the establishment of a shared sovereignty and prosperity area in the Sahel; they also condemned the 3 January 2026 attempt to destabilize Burkina Faso, the terrorist attack carried out on the night of 28–29 January 2026 against Air Base 101 and Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, and subversive actions aimed at undermining Mali’s economy.

• The AES ministers emphasized that these attempts were thwarted due to the determination of the leaders of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, as well as the vigilance of their populations; they called for heightened vigilance against any efforts to destabilize the Confederation and praised the sacrifices of the Armed and Security Forces.