Topic: Institute for Security Studies

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Nairobi blast: Could have been Al Shabab or a 'lone wolf' sympathizer

Monday's explosion in a downtown market injured 38, the latest in a string of small attacks that may have been conducted by Al Shabab sympathizers both to kill and to create sense of insecurity.
EU airstrike on Somali pirates echoes US drone strategy

An airstrike on Somali pirate logistics by EU helicopters puts EU members on footing similar to that of the US, which has used drones and special forces to target Islamist militant group Al Shabab.
In Nigeria, Somalia, and Afghanistan: what is a foreign fighter?

In countries where colonial borders don't reflect ethnic or family ties, it's not as easy to decide who is a foreigner. Yet Nigeria has deported 11,000 foreigners in the past six months on suspicion of Islamist sympathies.
Victims of Kenya violence shrug at ICC effort

Putting four senior leaders on trial at the Hague is not enough, say victims of the 2007-2008 wave of murder and arson in Kenya. The machete-swinging thugs who carried out the murders still walk free.
Africa Monitor
Is Compaore's reign in Burkina Faso coming to an end?

Burkina Faso's President Compaore is seeing new protests against his regime in Western Africa that may finally be sweeping him out of power.
Africa Monitor
What to watch for as election season sweeps across Africa

There are five countries in East and West Africa slated for elections in the near future. Guest blogger Alex Thurston outlines out the issues at hand in each election.
How Qaddafi helped fuel fury toward Africans in Libya

During the past few weeks of uprising in Libya, hundreds of African migrant workers have been detained, beaten, or harassed by Libyans due to reports that African mercenaries are fighting for Muammar Qaddafi.
Why Uganda's 25-year ruler is unlikely to face Egypt-style protests

Ugandans are expected to extend President Yoweri Museveni's 25-year rule in Friday's election. More voters seem to want change, but apathy and fear of brutal crackdowns prevent unrest.
Africa Monitor
Five African stories you may have missed during Egypt's revolt

Street protests in Gabon, a punishing stalemate in Ivory Coast, a coming election in Uganda: there is plenty of news even as Africans remain glued to the Egypt revolt. Some of it may affect the price of your next steaming cup of cocoa.
Mounting friction between Mugabe, Tsvangirai threaten Zimbabwe's government

Prime Minister Tsvangirai could pull out, leading to early elections that would favor President Mugabe, whose far-reaching powers haven't yet been curbed by promised constitutional reform.
How a Kagame win in Rwanda election could destabilize region

President Paul Kagame is expected to win another seven-year term in today's Rwanda election. But critics say his strong-arm tactics against opponents could fuel future conflict.
Terrorism & Security
Uganda bombing: Al Shabab suicide bombers attack during World Cup final

Three suspected Al Shabab suicide bombers killed more than 60 people, including one American, in successive bombings at places in the capital of Uganda, Kampala, where fans were watching the World Cup on TV.
World Cup 101: Is South Africa really prepared to host the World Cup?

In recent years, South Africa caught a lot of flack as it fell beyond on stadium construction and infrastructure improvements for the World Cup. The country got the job done in the end. But one question mark remains over the cup: Security.
Africa Monitor
World Cup robberies: Six tips for a safe visit to South Africa

Three foreign journalists were robbed Tuesday night near the Portuguese team's base camp north of Johannesburg. Security expert Johan Burger offers six safety tips for World Cup tourists, to prevent pickpocketing, robberies, and muggings.
World Cup stampede renews concern over South Africa's preparedness

Sunday's World Cup stampede during a friendly between Nigeria and North Korea injured more than a dozen people, but officials say this will not be a problem at any of the tournament's official matches.
Will terrorism acquittal of MDC's Roy Bennett salvage Zimbabwe unity government?

Roy Bennett, a white commercial farmer and top figure in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was acquitted Monday of terrorism charges. He's offered to lower his profile, but can that boost prospects of Zimbabwe's unity government?
ICC to investigate Kenya election violence. Will leaders cooperate?

The International Criminal Court has told Luis Moreno Ocampo to investigate the role of senior politicians in 2008 Kenya election violence. But some are already suspected of working to undermine the ICC.
Kenya political crisis: Kofi Annan to the rescue – again?

A corruption scandal threatens to tear apart the fragile coalition government, prompting fear of a return to the ethnic violence that killed 1,300 and displaced hundreds of thousands after the disputed elections of December 2007.
Global News Blog
Lessons from Togo attack for World Cup host S. Africa?

The news that Angolan separatists sprayed bullets into the Togo team's bus on Friday, killing three and wounding several others, has cast a dark shadow over the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament. What can South Africa learn from this?
Somalia's Islamist militants spill into neighboring countries

Somalia's Islamist militant group Al Shabab now controls much of the country, and it has made viable threats against neighbors Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
International prosecution of senior Kenyan politicians for post-election violence looks inevitable

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo left Kenya on Saturday saying he has a "strong case" against senior Kenyan politicians for stirring up post-election violence in 2007.
In Kenya, ICC Ocampo's arrival stokes new look at election violence

The International Criminal Court's prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo arrived in Kenya to investigate the political leaders who perpetrated violence after Kenya's disputed elections in December 2007. Some 1,500 people were killed.
Are Somalia's pirates linked to Al Qaeda?

Reports that pirates may want to swap a British couple they captured last week for fellow pirates detained by foreign navies have fueled speculation that the pirates are linking up with Islamist militants.
Can Mutambara save Zimbabwe's power-sharing government?

Zimbabwe's Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara portrayed himself as a mediator while decrying the obstinance of President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Obama's first Somalia strike hits Al Qaeda suspect

US commandos killed Kenyan national Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in a helicopter raid against Mr. Nabhan's convoy, as it traveled through the Barawe district in southern Somalia.