Organised by UNOWAS, ECOWAS and UN WOMEN, an Open Doors Day aimed to initiate a dialogue between West African women and regional actors on the implementation of the three-year action plan of the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework’s (CPCC) component on women, peace and security. Read on

The ambush that killed four American soldiers in Niger on 4 October has stirred up a public debate in the US. The controversy over the nature of the US intervention in Niger has been fuelled by the US military’s lack of transparency about this operation. With the need to step up the fight against Boko Haram, al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the region, the United States may increase its presence and abandon the low-profile strategy that it has preferred until recently. Read on

On 1 October, Nigeria celebrated its 57th Independence Day. On this occasion, President Buhari, present after his long absence this summer because of poor health, paid tribute to the country’s military in Maiduguri and commended the military’s efforts fighting Boko Haram in the country’s northeast. In his 2017 State of the Nation Address, Buhari evaluated the government’s actions over the past two years. Nigeria’s three top priorities remain security, economic recovery and the fight against corruption. Read on

For two years, the UNDP Regional Office for Africa conducted a study to understand why some individuals rally behind major extremist groups in Africa. Based on hundreds of interviews with activists from these movements, the results of this study have been published in a report entitled, “Journey to extremism in Africa: Drivers, incentives and the tipping point for recruitment.” Read on