West Africa

These two countries offer clear examples of how easily institutional principles underpinning democracy can be manipulated in the interests of those in power.

This coup was not unexpected as it followed months of mass protests against alleged corruption, a worsening economy and disputed elections.

After the sudden death of Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, President Ouattara is now deciding whether to stand for a third term. However, such a move would face challenges internationally, and particularly in West Africa.

In responding to the spread of the coronavirus, the governments of the Sahel and West Africa will need to draw on their collective experience of strategic coordination in emergency planning, and work together to prioritize the flow of food across borders.

Mauritania stands at the threshold of a crucial political change. The actions of political leaders and wider society during this critical period could have large and far-reaching consequences in setting the course for the country’s evolution. 

The president’s first term fell short of the changes needed to modernize the sector. Can he make headway in his second?

There is an urgent need to address widespread failings in Nigeria’s security services, but so far President Buhari has not tackled these challenges.

There were high expectations that Liberia’s president would tackle corruption and boost the economy, but he has struggled with entrenched interests and demands of patronage.

International engagement will be critical to the success of Nigeria’s elections, but its international partners – in particular the US – appear less engaged than they were four years ago.

A fresh insurrection by Biafra secessionists would plunge the country into deeper insecurity.

Anti-corruption efforts could be made significantly more effective through new ways of understanding why people engage in the practice.

A wave of devastating attacks and reprisals in the southern part of the state is a chilling reminder of rural Nigeria’s vast security vulnerabilities and communal tensions.

The ongoing struggle for greater influence, inclusion, accountability and representation in northern Nigeria is central to understanding transformations in the region’s politics, especially in the context of its security challenges and a looming general election in 2015.