Africa Conflict-Diplomacy Daily Brief - 6 April, 2026

Executive Summary

The direct clash between ISSP and JNIM in Niger marks a new phase of intra-jihadist competition in the Sahel, indicating a shift toward violent contestation over territorial influence and operational space. In Burkina Faso, JNIM’s coordinated attacks on both military and VDP positions highlight a continued strategy of systematically targeting state-backed local defense structures. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, FARDC’s ability to repel AFC/M23 attacks and the reported surrenders suggest limited tactical gains on the front line, while ISCAP’s attacks on civilian and economic targets underscore persistent security gaps. In Nigeria, ongoing pressure on Boko Haram/ISWAP through military operations contrasts with continued mass abductions and civilian-targeted violence in Zamfara and Kebbi, reflecting a deepening and multi-layered security crisis. In Somalia, political processes—particularly constitutional completion and electoral plans—are advancing alongside sustained military operations against Al-Shabaab, with continued reliance on coordinated air and ground strikes to maintain pressure on the group. In Mali, the continued use of airpower and high-intensity targeting of militant elements indicates a sustained strategy focused on kinetic operations against insurgent networks.