As pre-colonial empires and kingdoms ruled the Horn of Africa, borders shifted and were constantly debated. However, colonization at the end of the 19th century was the true turning point in determining the future of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as the future of the entire continent. In 1890, after successfully defeating an autonomous [...]
July 9th, 2018 marked the end of a peace summit between Ethiopia and Eritrea. A historic day for both countries, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia that formally ended the conflict that has persisted between them for the past two decades. [...]
Last week’s article discussed the violence at Lake Chad as a result of extremist groups and transnational criminal organizations. This week’s article will take a brief look at U.S. involvement in the Lake Chad Basin region, specifically with the country of Chad. The U.S. provides military assistance to Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger — the four border countries of [...]
Last week’s article discussed the humanitarian crisis at Lake Chad where food insecurity and widespread poverty continue to afflict the local population. This crisis, born out of resource scarcity and inadequate government support, has allowed for violent extremist groups and transnational criminal organizations to expand and operate. Porous borders, ungoverned spaces, lack of security, and local conflicts [...]
Last week’s article introduced the people of Lake Chad — a diverse confluence of ethnicities, nationalities and livelihoods. The following article will expand on the human aspect of Lake Chad and emphasize the current humanitarian and displacement crisis. Climate change trends such as desertification, the shrinking of the lake, increasing food and water insecurity, ineffective governance, a growing [...]
Last week’s article discussed Lake Chad’s environmental conditions, focusing on the causes and consequences of the lake’s significant reduction in past decades. As a source of life for the surrounding region, Lake Chad’s resources are critical to the survival of the people that call it home. This article focuses specifically on the human populations of Lake [...]
The Sahel Research Group’s interview with Ambassador Alexander Laskaris discussed U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM’s) perspective on terrorism in the Sahel. One statement in particular highlighted the nature of the challenge. Our overall assessment in the Sahel is that we are dealing primarily with governance crises. Marginalized communities exist all along the Sahel belt. Their respective country governments [...]
