News

In NIGERIA, it has been reported that hundreds of Nigerian troops are missing after Boko Haram jihadists overran a military base in the remote northeast, in the second major assault on the Nigerian armed forces in two days. The jihadist militants, … Continued

OAMME STRATEGIC ANALYSIS As a sign of the serious deterioration in security across Africa during 2017, US AFRICOM confirmed that the US military now has specialist troops (as military trainers, technical advisers, and combatants) deployed to at least 33 countries … Continued

Niger’s Defence Minister Kalla Mountari has formally requested that the United States commence using armed drones against jihadist groups operating on the western border with Mali, raising the stakes in a counter-insurgency campaign that has been brought to international prominence … Continued

Update – The Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar (Burma) In The Philippines, the Defence Secretary confirmed that the two primary leaders of the armed groups behind the prolonged war in Marawi City had been killed in clashes with Armed Forces of … Continued

Indonesia’s Concerns In mid-July, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo signed a regulation which in effect will give the Indonesian Government greater power to disband Islamist organisations deemed threats to the nation, as it seeks to control the growing influence of hardline … Continued

Islamic State (IS) encroachment, and the risk to the region What had been common knowledge for some time within national security organisations in Australia and SE Asia became clear to the world this month with Islamic State’s efforts at creating … Continued

Mali extended a state of emergency by six months, from May until 31st October, as the west African nation battles a jihadist insurgency. MPs meeting in Bamako “voted unanimously” to extend the state of emergency. The measure has been renewed … Continued

On the political front, Nigeria’s government continues to reassure its citizens over the health of President Muhammadu Buhari, but confirmed that he spends most of his time working from home. A statement from the President’s office late on Thursday responded … Continued

BACKGROUND Political instability has plagued the Sahel countries for years. In Mali, the military coup of March 2012 brought an abrupt halt to 20 years of relatively stable democracy. In its aftermath, terrorists who had occupied most of the northern … Continued