Conflicts in Africa: Sudan, Niger and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

After a six-month break, fighting broke out between rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) and other armed groups and soldiers of the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The latest hostilities took place in North Kivu province, near the country’s borders with Rwanda and Uganda. Wazalendo, i.e. “Patriots”, seem to be gaining the advantage over M23 there. According to the UN migration agency, 6.9 million people had to leave their homes as a result of the conflict in the DRC.

The paramilitary units of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighting against the Sudanese army claim that they have occupied Nyala – the second-largest city in the country. The RSF were to take over the army headquarters in the capital of South Darfur province, and most of the Sudanese government moved from the capital, Khartoum, to Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The warring parties – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF – decided to resume peace talks in Saudi Jeddah with the assistance of the hosts and the US. The East African regional bloc IGAD (Intergovernmental Organization for Development) also participates in the talks. The conflict in Sudan has displaced more than 5.7 million people.

After the July coup d’état by Nigerien generals, which took power, rejected anti-terrorist support from French forces and questioned cooperation with the US army, attacks by local Islamist fighters increased significantly. The number of brutal incidents targeting civilians initiated by the IS branch in the Sahel has increased several times. Meanwhile, Niger’s military is trying to defend the country’s borders against a possible invasion by neighbouring countries, demanding the restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum to power.