Horn of Africa

An Islamic State branch has acquired a foothold in Puntland, in north-eastern Somalia, and has been channelling funds to the jihadist network’s other African affiliates. Curtailing the group’s activities will require the Somali government and Puntland authorities to overcome their divisions to take concerted action.

As South Sudan contends with a prolonged political and economic crisis, Kenyan mediators are attempting to broker an agreement between the country’s government and exiled opposition leaders. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Daniel Akech assesses how the talks are progressing.

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Alex de Waal, leading expert on famine and Sudan and the executive director of the World Peace Foundation, to discuss the worsening hunger crisis in Sudan, where the country’s civil war has put millions on the brink of famine. 

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the crossfire with war intensifying in North Darfur and its capital El Fasher. Concerted pressure is needed to get all sides to de-escalate. It will be difficult, but bowing to fatalism would be inexcusable.

In this episode of The Horn, Alan is joined by Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, to discuss new political talks in Kenya and whether South Sudan can weather a sudden plunge in oil revenue.

After a decade-long lull, Somali pirates have hijacked a handful of vessels in recent months. Crisis Group expert Omar Mahmood reports on the burning anger over illegal trawling that is driving some local fishermen to sympathise with this dangerous – and profitable – activity.   

After a year of war in Sudan, thousands have been killed and nine million are displaced. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2024 – Spring Update, Crisis Group explains how the EU and its member states can bolster mediation and respond to the humanitarian catastrophe.

Income from oil exports is critical to keeping South Sudan’s factious elites together. The war in neighbouring Sudan has led earnings to fall precipitously, threatening instability in Juba and highlighting anew the need to bring the Sudanese conflict to a close.

This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group’s experts Alan Boswell, Shewit Woldemichael, Rami Dajani and Rob Blecher about escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur region, Israel’s looming offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, the potential human toll and diplomatic efforts to avert both.