Yale Ford

Congo War Security Review, October 3, 2025

Russian Nuclear Energy Diplomacy; New Fano Offensive in Ethiopia: Africa File, October 2, 2025

Congo War Security Review, October 1, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 29, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 26, 2025

DRC Ceasefire Collapse; Turkish Troops to Niger; El Fasher on the Brink: Africa File, September 25, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 24, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 22, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 19, 2025

SAF Gains in Central Sudan; DRC Ethnic Violence: Africa File, September 18, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 17, 2025

Congo War Security Review, September 15, 2025

JNIM Economic Warfare: Africa File, September 11, 2025

Mali. Al Qaeda’s Sahelian affiliate has begun forcibly enforcing its blockade on western Mali, escalating a new phase of economic warfare...

M23’s State-Building Project: Africa File Special Edition

Rwandan-backed M23 has launched a systematic state-building project to translate its military gains in the eastern Democratic Republic of...

Congo War Security Review, September 5, 2025

South Africa Attempts Internal Congolese Dialogue; JNIM Controls Farabougou: Africa File, September 4, 2025

Democratic Republic of the Congo. DRC President Félix Tshisekedi rejected an invitation to participate in a regional peace conference in ...

Congo War Security Review, September 3, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 29, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 27, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 25, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 22, 2025

M23 Massacres Undermine DRC Peace Process: Africa File, August 21, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 20, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 18, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 15, 2025

M23 Violates DRC Ceasefire, Mali Coup, El Fasher Assault: Africa File, August 14, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 13, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 11, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 8, 2025

DRC-M23 Peace Prospects: Africa File, August 7, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 6, 2025

Challenges to Sustainable DRC-M23 Peace

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), M23, and Rwanda will likely remain involved with Qatari-brokered negotiations and the broader...

Challenges to Sustainable DRC-M23 Peace: Africa File Special Edition

Congo War Security Review, August 4, 2025

Congo War Security Review, August 1, 2025

Russia, US Compete in West Africa: Africa File, July 31, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 30, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 28, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 25, 2025

DRC-M23 Ceasefire: Africa File, July 24, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 23, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 23, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 18, 2025

Russian Info Ops; Attritional Battles in Sudan: Africa File, July 17, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 16, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 14, 2025

Congo War Security Review, July 11, 2025

First Trump Africa Summit; DRC Tensions; Shabaab Momentum: Africa File, July 10, 2025

US-Africa Summit. The United States will discuss critical minerals, defense partnerships, economic cooperation, and migration during a th...

Congo War Security Review, July 9, 2025

JNIM Attacks Across Mali; Biya Faces Challengers in Cameroon: Africa File, July 3, 2025

Cameroon. Cameroonian President Paul Biya is facing a split within his ruling coalition amid uncertainty about his plans to run for his e...

Congo War Security Review, July 2, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 30, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 27, 2025

US-DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal—A Beginning, Not an End: Congo War Security Review Special Edition

Congo War Security Review, June 25, 2025

Kabila’s Return to the DRC

Former Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has reentered Congolese politics to capitalize on the eastern DRC c...

Kabila’s Return to the DRC: Africa File Special Edition

Congo War Security Review, June 23, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 20, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 18, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 16, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 13, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 11, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 9, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 6, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 4, 2025

Congo War Security Review, June 2, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 30, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 28, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 23, 2025

The DRC government formally revoked former DRC President Joseph Kabila’s immunity protections as a former senator. Kabila delivered his f...

Congo War Security Review, May 22, 2025

M23 has repatriated thousands of “Rwandan refugees” to Rwanda with UN oversight since early May.

Congo War Security Review, May 21, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 20, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 9, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 8, 2025

M23 captured the Luhwinja chiefdom on the border between Mwenga and Walungu districts in South Kivu. M23 reportedly reinforced its positi...

Congo War Security Review, May 7, 2025

M23 appointed an international diplomacy chief and plans to install “regional representatives” in the coming days. M23 has attempted to a...

Congo War Security Review, May 6, 2025

Congo War Security Review, May 5, 2025

The DRC and Rwanda submitted separate draft peace agreements to the United States. The DRC and M23 met for another round of Qatari-mediat...

Congo War Security Review, May 2, 2025

The DRC and Rwanda are expected to finalize a peace agreement in late May. M23 launched a major road rehabilitation project in Masisi dis...

Congo War Security Review, May 1, 2025

M23 is preparing new measures to regulate economic activity in areas that it controls. The United States is in talks with Rwanda to trans...

Congo War Security Review, May 1, 2025

M23 is preparing new measures to regulate economic activity in areas that it controls. The United States is in talks with Rwanda to trans...

Africa File, May 1, 2025: AU, Turkey, and United States Surge to Halt al Shabaab; DRC Peace Talks; Uganda’s Role in the Eastern DRC

Somalia’s international partners are increasing their efforts to counter al Shabaab in response to the group’s significant gains in 2025....

Congo War Security Review, April 30, 2025

Corneille Nangaa, head of Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), M23’s political branch, said that the AFC will “keep fighting” despite peace negot...

Africa File Special Edition: Uganda in the DRC’s M23 Conflict—Friend to All, Enemy to None

Uganda is working with actors on multiple sides of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to hedge and streng...

Congo War Security Review, April 29, 2025

M23 reportedly began advancing westward and southward from the Kaziba chiefdom capital in South Kivu province. Southern African Developme...

Congo War Security Review, April 28, 2025

Congo War Security Review, April 25, 2025

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia fighters continued to put pressure on M23 near the Masisi district capital. The Congolese army...

Congo War Security Review Special Edition: Slow and Steady—What to Make of DRC-M23 Peace Talks

A détente between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda will likely limit the scale of violence in the eastern DRC, but p...

Congo War Security Review, April 24, 2025

The DRC and M23 released an official joint statement for the first time following the conclusion of an initial cycle of Qatari-mediated p...

Congo War Security Review, April 23, 2025

Congolese media reported that M23 has been amassing troops and military equipment on the RP529 road in Walikale district in recent days. ...

Congo War Security Review, April 22, 2025

Qatari-mediated peace talks between the DRC and M23 rebels broke down after M23 rejected several measures by the DRC government. Pro-Cong...

Congo War Security Review, April 21, 2025

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila reportedly traveled to the M23-held North Kivu provincial capital of Goma where he met with local lead...

Congo War Security Review, April 18, 2025

The French investigative outlet Africa Intelligence reported on April 18 that former DRC President Joseph Kabila traveled to Kigali, Rwan...

Congo War Security Review, April 17, 2025

Africa File, April 17, 2025: RSF War Crimes and Possible Genocide; al Shabaab Retaking Central Somalia; M23 Challenges; Algeria-Mali Spat

Sudan. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has committed numerous war crimes as the group has intensified its efforts to consolidate control o...

Congo War Security Review, April 16, 2025

Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia fighters clashed with M23 on the RN2 road in between Kalehe and Kabare districts in northern S...

Congo War Security Review, April 15, 2025

M23 regained control of several villages on the RN2 road in between the Kalehe and Kabare districts in northern South Kivu. Wazalendo fig...

Congo War Security Review, April 14, 2025

M23 repelled a pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia offensive to recapture Goma from M23. M23 accused Southern African Development ...

Congo War Security Review, April 11, 2025

M23 captured villages in Lubero district in northern North Kivu for the first time since late February. M23 repelled pro-Congolese govern...

Congo War Security Review, April 10, 2025

DRC and M23 engage in another session of Qatari-mediated negotiations. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias recaptured up to a doz...

Congo War Security Review, April 9, 2025

Representatives from the DRC and M23 indefinitely postponed Qatar-mediated peace talks planned for April 9. Former DRC President Joseph K...

Congo War Security Review, April 8, 2025

A Wazalendo fighter claimed during a town hall meeting in Uvira town in southern South Kivu that Burundian troops have restrained Wazalen...

Congo War Security Review, April 7, 2025

Representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and M23 completed an initial round of Qatari-mediated peace talks ahead o...

Congo War Security Review, April 4, 2025

M23 forces continued their retreat from the Walikale district capital in western North Kivu toward Masisi district. A spokesperson for a ...

Congo War Security Review, April 3, 2025

Pro-Congolese government forces retook control of the Walikale district capital in western North Kivu after M23 forces unilaterally withd...

Africa File, April 3, 2025: Russia-Sahel Summit; Sahelian Juntas Target Chinese Mining; M23 Loses Walikale but Uganda Leaves Vacuum

Russia. The Kremlin is strengthening its strategic relationships with Sahelian juntas to entrench Russian influence in the region and sec...

Congo War Security Review, April 2, 2025

The US State Department formally named Massad Boulos as President Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa prior to his tour of DRC, Rwanda, and...

Congo War Security Review, April 1, 2025

The DRC and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels will engage in Qatar-mediated peace talks next week. Pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militias at...

Congo War Security Review, March 31, 2025

Representatives from the DRC, Rwanda, and Rwandan-backed M23 participated in Qatari-mediated peace talks in Doha, Qatar’s capital, but it...

Congo War Security Review, March 28, 2025

French media reported that Qatar has been hosting peace talks involving M23 rebels in Doha since March 27. M23 announced new efforts to f...

Congo War Security Review, March 27, 2025

The Congolese army (FARDC) and allied Wazalendo militia fighters continued their counteroffensive against M23 in Walikale town and the su...

Africa File, March 27, 2025: SAF Liberates Khartoum; Burundi and Rwanda Tensions

Sudan. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) fully retook central Khartoum and are clearing the last pockets of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resi...

Congo War Security Review, March 26, 2025

M23 reinforced its position in Walikale town in western North Kivu and continued to clash with pro-Congolese government Wazalendo militia...

Congo War Security Review, March 25, 2025

Member states from the East African Community (EAC) and South African Development Community (SADC) held a virtual joint summit to discuss...

Congo War Security Review, March 24, 2025

M23 announced that it would withdraw from Walikale town in western North Kivu, but M23 has yet to vacate the district capital and has acc...

Congo War Security Review, March 21, 2025

M23 will reportedly participate in Qatari-mediated discussions in the coming days. Pro-Congolese government militias launched a counterat...

Congo War Security Review, March 20, 2025

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi touted the viability of a potential US-DRC minerals-for-security deal during an interview with Fox News. T...

Africa File, March 20, 2025: Qatari-Mediated Ceasefire in DRC; SAF Closes in on Khartoum; RSF Attacks Spread to South Sudan; Al Shabaab Ramadan Offensive; Tigray Simmers as Amhara Escalates; Russia’s Red Sea Efforts; Burkinabe Massacres

Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda agreed to a Qatari-mediated ceasefire, but fundam...

Congo War Security Review, March 19, 2025

Congo War Security Review, March 18, 2025

The Congolese army (FARDC) and allied militias halted M23’s advance towards the Walikale district capital in western North Kivu. Burundia...

Congo War Security Review, March 17, 2025

Congo War Security Review, March 13, 2025

Africa File, March 13, 2025: Looming Civil Wars in Ethiopia, South Sudan Threaten to Plunge Horn into Crisis; Renewed Peace Talks in DRC as M23 Advances

Congo War Security Review, March 12, 2025

M23 continued its advance southward in central South Kivu in a possible attempt to bypass Congolese army (FARDC) and Burundian army posit...

Congo War Security Review, March 11, 2025

M23 advanced south of the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu to a key area that links to several other fronts in South Kivu. M23 con...

Congo War Security Review, March 10, 2025

M23 made significant advances toward Walikale district in western North Kivu after capturing a key gateway town along the main road in th...

Congo War Security Review, March 6, 2025

M23 advanced toward the Lubero district capital in northern North Kivu on the western flank of Congolese army positions, but Ugandan forc...

Africa File, March 6, 2025: Burundi and Rwanda Truce in Eastern DRC Despite M23 Advance; SAF Targets RSF Supply Lines in Darfur; Sahelian Jihadists Tap Trans-Saharan Networks

Congo War Security Review, March 5, 2025

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi dispatched figures within his inner circle and mining industry officials to the United States and the Unit...

Congo War Security Review, March 4, 2025

M23 captured a village in the Lubero district to the west of the district capital, Lubero town, in another potential flanking effort. M23...

Congo War Security Review, March 3, 2025

Pro-Congolese government militias launched counterattacks against M23-aligned rebels that likely involved ethnically-motivated retaliator...

Congo War Security Review, February 27, 2025

M23 continued probing the Congolese army’s (FARDC) eastern flank in the Lubero district in northern North Kivu. M23 accused the Congolese...

Africa File, February 27, 2025: SAF Advances West Toward Darfur; M23 and DRC Reset as International Pressure Grows on Rwanda; ISSP Poses Clear Transnational Threat; al Shabaab Central Somalia Offensive

Sudan. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) are advancing in south-central Sudan and setting conditions for an offensive into Rapid Support Fo...

Congo War Security Review, February 26, 2025

Burundian troops and pro-Congolese government militia are moving north from the DRC-Burundi border with pro-Congolese government militia ...

Congo War Security Review, February 25, 2025

The Congolese army (FARDC) is attempting to recapture a town and its nearby airstrip in South Kivu from the M23-aligned Twirwaneho rebels...

Congo War Security Review, February 25, 2025

The Congolese army (FARDC) is attempting to recapture a town and its nearby airstrip in South Kivu from the M23-aligned Twirwaneho rebels...

Congo War Security Review, February 24, 2025

The Congolese army (FARDC) blocked M23 attempts to flank FARDC positions in Lubero town, a district capital in northern North Kivu. M23-a...

Congo War Security Review, February 21, 2025

M23 captured two villages east of the RN2 in Lubero district in northern North Kivu Province in an attempt to flank Congolese army (FARDC...

Congo War Security Review, February 20, 2025

FARDC launched limited counterattacks south of the district capital, Lubero, in northern North Kivu province, but M23 is attempting to fl...

Africa File, February 20, 2025: M23 Advance Continues Unchallenged; SAF Grows Partnerships with Iran and Russia; RSF Creates Parallel Government in Sudan

Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwandan-backed M23 captured the South Kivu provincial capital, Bukavu, and continued to advance on seve...

Africa File, February 13, 2025: SAF Announces Government Plan and Russian Naval Base; DRC Concedes to Direct Talks with M23; Turkey’s Growing Defense Partnerships in Africa

• Sudan. The leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) outlined plans for a new government that likely aims to legitimize the SAF as the ...

Africa File, February 6, 2025: M23 Unilateral Ceasefire; SAF Closes in on Khartoum; US Airstrikes in Northern Somalia; al Shabaab Reinfiltrates Central Somalia; IS Sahel Kidnapping Campaign; US-Algeria Relationship Grows

Sudan. The SAF is poised to secure a major victory by recapturing Khartoum and pushing the RSF west of the Nile. Securing these objective...

Africa File, January 30, 2025: Rwandan-Backed M23 Captures Goma; SAF Breakthroughs in Khartoum; IS Sahel Linked to Angola Plot Targeting Biden Visit; IS Calls for Jihad in Sudan; Somalia Agrees with Egypt in AUSSOM

Africa File, January 24, 2025: Russia Continues Pivot to Libya and Mali; SAF Advances in Khartoum; M23 Marches On Goma; IS Somalia Down but Not Out; AES Joint Force

Africa File, December 5, 2024: French Influence in Africa Erodes Further; Syria’s Impact on Russia in Africa and the Mediterranean; Somalia Political Dispute Turns Hot; DRC-Rwanda Peace Plans Move Ahead; Tuareg Setback

Africa File, November 21, 2024: Russian Mining in the Sahel; Sudan Ceasefire Still Unlikely; AU Mission in Somalia Uncertainty; IS Postelection Offensive in Mozambique

Africa File, October 24, 2024: JNIM Strikes Northern Niger; DRC Peace Talks and M23 Offensive; Egypt-Djibouti Cooperation; Ethiopia-Somalia AUSSOM Tug-of-War; Central Somalia Offensive

Africa File, October 24, 2024: JNIM Strikes Northern Niger; DRC Peace Talks and M23 Offensive; Egypt-Djibouti Cooperation; Ethiopia-Somal...

Africa File, October 10, 2024: DRC Attacks FDLR; Fano Counteroffensive; AUSSOM Issues; Mali’s Northern Challenges; Togo Border Pressure