The West needs to push for local action against Islamic State’s reign of terror in the Middle East. States in the region must find solutions to the conflicts to bring peace and stability.
Local vigilantes patrol communities in north east Nigeria to repel attacks by Boko Haram militants.
EPA/Stringer
Most African leaders have done little to improve the welfare of their people. Despite political parties different ideologies nothing really changes when governments change.
Children at a camp for people displaced by Boko Haram insurgents in North-East Nigeria.
Flickr/Immanuel Afrolabi
More than 788 health facilities have been destroyed in parts of North-Eastern Nigeria captured by Boko Haram insurgents, crippling health services in the area.
The aftermath of a bomb strike at a refugee camp in Rann, Nigeria.
EPA
The Nigerian government has dealt Boko Haram some serious blows, but the insurgency is far from over.
Recently, the Sahel has been in the global spotlight due to famines, religious terrorism, anti-state rebellions, and arms, drugs and human trafficking.
EPA/KHALED EL FIQI
The Sahel region of Africa is a 3,860-kilometre arc-like land mass lying to the immediate south of the Sahara Desert and stretching east-west across the breadth of the African continent. A largely semi-arid…
Al-Shabaab’s constant attacks on Somalia are among concerns Donald Trump’s advisers have about Africa.
Reuters/Feisal Omar
Donald J. Trump is the new man in charge of the US, and Africa seems to have little cause for celebration. But what does the new Commander-in-Chief really think of the continent?
The aftermath of the December 10 car bomb attack in Istanbul.
EPA/Sedat Suna
Westerners consistently misunderstand and overestimate the threat of terrorism, and often gloss over the specific reasons behind attacks.
A French soldier involved in Operation Barkhane to keep Al Qaeda at bay in the desert of northern Mali patrols a street in Timbuktu.
Joe Penney/Reuters
The US and France have bolstered military strength across vast areas of Africa in response to Islamist threat. But the interest is also driven by Western strategic calculations
Participants in the Finote Hiwot project to end child, early and forced marriage in Ethiopia.
Department for International Development/Jessica Lea
A number of African states are taking positive steps to combat violence against girls and child marriage. But social and cultural barriers can nullify national laws and strategies.
President Buhari meets with a woman rescued from Boko Haram.
EPA
Politicians are still debating whether climate change is real, but military planners call it a serious threat. A retired rear admiral explains how climate change affects U.S. national security.
These Yazidi sisters managed to escape captivity by Islamic State. Thousands more were not so lucky.
Reuters
Undertaking a Muslim education – coming to understand the faith’s teachings and its ideas about humanity – can have enormous value for anyone who wishes to tackle social conflicts.
Boko Haram is still outpacing the Nigerian authorities.
EPA/Tife Owolabi
The marked increase in the number of Nigerian pastoralists fleeing Boko Haram terror in northeastern Nigeria last year reflects a trend that started three years ago.
Policewomen lock hands during a protest march in Nigeria.Collaboration between police and communities is helping improve safety in parts of the country.
Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde
A new study shows an amazingly symbiotic relationship between the community and police in Nigeria: 70% of survey respondents claim that collaboration has brought safety to their communities.
Residents view an army poster of wanted Boko Haram suspects in Bayelsa, Nigeria.
EPA/Tife Owolabi
Despite military successes against Boko Haram, Nigeria needs to face up to the unpalatable truth that military force alone will not win the deadly war, and start discussions about peace building.
Baby Lurky, whose family was displaced by Boko Haram in the northeast region of Nigeria, sleeps at a camp in Adamawa State.
Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde
The rise in the number of people fleeing Boko Haram terror calls for urgent amendments to Nigeria’s constitution to provide legal protection to the country’s millions of internally displaced citizens.
A young Chibok schoolgirl rescued two years after being abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria.
EAP/Nigerian Military
Professor of Francophone Studies (Africa, Caribbean), Faculty Affiliate with Africana Studies, World Literature Program and Human Rights Pracice, University of Arizona