Yale Ford

Yale Ford is an Africa Analyst for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute. He focuses on military operations and political developments in the Great Lakes region of Africa. He graduated from Liberty University with a B.A. in International Relations and a minor in global history.

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Position

Africa Analyst

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103 Results

Congo War Security Review, July 14, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford 1 day ago BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, July 11, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford 4 days ago BRIEF

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

Miles Charles Yale Ford Liam Karr July 10, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford July 09, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Liam Karr July 03, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford July 02, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 30, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 30, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 27, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 27, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford June 27, 2025 ANALYSIS

Congo War Security Review, June 25, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 25, 2025 BRIEF

Kabila’s Return to the DRC

Yale Ford June 24, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford June 24, 2025 ANALYSIS

Congo War Security Review, June 23, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 23, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 20, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 20, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 18, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 18, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 16, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 16, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 13, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 13, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 11, 2025

Calvin Hodges Yale Ford June 11, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 9, 2025

Yale Ford June 09, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 6, 2025

Yale Ford June 06, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 4, 2025

Yale Ford June 04, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, June 2, 2025

Yale Ford June 02, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 30, 2025

Yale Ford May 30, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 28, 2025

Yale Ford May 28, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 23, 2025

Yale Ford May 23, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 22, 2025 BRIEF

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

Congo War Security Review, May 21, 2025

Yale Ford May 21, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 20, 2025

Yale Ford May 20, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 9, 2025

Yale Ford May 09, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 8, 2025

Yale Ford May 08, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 07, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 06, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, May 5, 2025

Yale Ford May 05, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 02, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 01, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford May 01, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson May 01, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford April 30, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford April 30, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford April 29, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 28, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, April 25, 2025

Yale Ford April 25, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford April 25, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford April 24, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 23, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 22, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 21, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 18, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 17, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr April 17, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford April 16, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford April 15, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford April 14, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 11, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 10, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 09, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 08, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 07, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 04, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 03, 2025 BRIEF

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

Jean-Philip Banane Yale Ford Liam Karr April 03, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 02, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz April 01, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Nick Markiewicz Yale Ford March 31, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 28, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 27, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson March 27, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 26, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 25, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 24, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 21, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 20, 2025 BRIEF

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

Jean-Philip Banane Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr March 20, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Liam Karr Nick Markiewicz Yale Ford March 19, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, March 18, 2025

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 18, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 17, 2025 BRIEF

Congo War Security Review, March 13, 2025

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 13, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson March 13, 2025 ANALYSIS

Congo War Security Review, March 12, 2025

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 12, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 11, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 10, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 06, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr March 06, 2025 ANALYSIS

Congo War Security Review, March 5, 2025

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 05, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 04, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz March 03, 2025 BRIEF

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

Congo War Security Review, February 27, 2025

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 27, 2025 BRIEF

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr February 27, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 26, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 25, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 25, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 24, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford February 21, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Yale Ford Nick Markiewicz February 20, 2025 BRIEF

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

Liam Karr Kathryn Tyson Yale Ford February 20, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Liam Karr Kathryn Tyson February 13, 2025 ANALYSIS

• 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

Yale Ford Liam Karr Kathryn Tyson February 06, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Liam Karr Kathryn Tyson January 30, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr January 24, 2025 ANALYSIS

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

Kathryn Tyson Yale Ford Liam Karr December 05, 2024 ANALYSIS

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

Liam Karr Halkano Boru Margaret Herr Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson November 21, 2024 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr October 24, 2024 ANALYSIS

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

Yale Ford Kathryn Tyson Liam Karr October 10, 2024 ANALYSIS