Lagos, Nigeria – April 8, 2025
A wave of deadly violence has struck Nigeria’s northern Plateau State, where gunmen killed at least 52 people and displaced nearly 2,000 others in a series of attacks spanning several days. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the toll, reporting that the assaults targeted six villages in the Bokkos district, marking the region’s worst outbreak of violence since December 2023, when over 100 people were killed in similar incidents.

The attacks, which began last week, saw armed assailants carry out what NEMA described as “brutal assaults,” resulting in widespread destruction of property and multiple fatalities. By the weekend, the scale of the carnage became clearer: 52 deaths were confirmed, with 22 others injured and receiving medical treatment. Over 1,820 residents have been forced to flee their homes, prompting the establishment of three displacement camps to accommodate the affected NEMA noted that the security situation in the area remains tense, with ongoing efforts to restore order.

The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, though Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has a long history of conflict between predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian farmers. These tensions, exacerbated by climate change and competition over shrinking grazing land, have fueled cycles of violence in the region for years.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks, ordering security agencies to hunt down the perpetrators and ensure they face “severe punishment,” according to a statement from his office. He also directed the immediate mobilization of relief resources for survivors and medical care for the wounded. The Nigerian army has launched “clearance operations” to track down suspects, though arrests in such cases have historically been rare.

Local leaders and residents expressed frustration over the delayed response from security forces, with some claiming it took over 12 hours for help to arrive. Sunday Dawum, a youth leader in Bokkos, told reporters, “We called for help, but no one came until the next morning.” The slow intervention echoes longstanding criticisms of Nigeria’s security apparatus in addressing the country’s persistent crises.

April 6, 2025 – The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involving the M23 rebel group has seen significant developments in recent days, with peace negotiations advancing and military dynamics shifting on the ground.

The government of the DRC and the M23 rebels have engaged in a fresh round of peace talks in Doha, Qatar, marking a critical step toward potentially resolving one of Central Africa’s most persistent conflicts. Sources close to the negotiations report that the discussions, facilitated by Qatari mediators, have been constructive. The talks follow an initial round in late March, described as "positive," with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue on April 9.

A key development from the negotiations is the M23's withdrawal from the strategic mining town of Walikale, a move the rebels described as a "goodwill gesture" ahead of the upcoming talks. The DRC army confirmed the withdrawal on April 4, noting that Congolese troops have since moved into the area. This retreat, initially met with skepticism by the government, appears to have bolstered confidence in the ceasefire agreement established earlier this year.

In a notable shift, the DRC military (FARDC) has refrained from labeling M23 as a "terrorist" group or a proxy force in recent statements, instead calling on local militias, known as Wazalendo, to respect the ceasefire. Analysts suggest this change in tone could signal a willingness to de-escalate hostilities and prioritize diplomacy over military confrontation. However, tensions remain high, with reports indicating that M23 continues to advance toward Kisangani, reaching Ubundu—approximately 131 kilometers from the Tshopo provincial capital—raising concerns about the group’s true intentions.

Rwanda, frequently accused of backing M23, continues to deny involvement, asserting that its military actions are defensive responses to DRC aggression. The international community, including the United Nations and Western governments, has called for transparency and an end to foreign interference in the conflict.

Despite the diplomatic progress, M23’s military position appears increasingly precarious. Observers note that the group’s front lines have become "porous" in several areas, including around Masisi and Bukavu, suggesting that M23 may be overstretched. Local resistance in Goma and Bukavu has reportedly intensified, with civilians and militias mounting opposition to the rebels’ presence. This development follows M23’s rapid offensive earlier this year, which saw the group capture significant territory, including the DRC’s two largest eastern cities.

The Doha talks represent a potential turning point after months of violence that displaced hundreds of thousands and left thousands dead. The DRC government has expressed cautious optimism but warned that the ceasefire’s success depends on M23 adhering to its commitments. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect a mix of skepticism and hope among Congolese citizens, with some questioning whether the peace process will hold given the rebels’ continued movements.

Monrovia, Liberia – March 26, 2025 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched yet another mediation effort to resolve the ongoing legislative crisis in Liberia, as a high-level delegation arrived in Monrovia this week to address the deepening deadlock within the House of Representatives. This marks the regional bloc’s second attempt in less than a year to broker peace among feuding lawmakers, following an unsuccessful mission in 2024.

The crisis, which has paralyzed legislative functions for months, centers on a contentious power struggle over attempts to remove House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa. A faction of lawmakers, primarily from the ruling Unity Party and self-styled as the "Majority Bloc," has demanded Koffa’s resignation, accusing him of corruption and conflict of interest—charges he vehemently denies. Koffa, backed by a smaller group of supporters, insists that any move to oust him must adhere to constitutional requirements, which mandate a two-thirds majority (49 of 73 members) that his opponents have so far failed to secure.

The ECOWAS delegation, led by Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, a former UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Nigerian Foreign Minister, arrived on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The team includes prominent figures such as Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, and aims to engage key stakeholders, including President Joseph Boakai, former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and George Weah, and members of both legislative factions. However, early signs of resistance emerged as the Majority Bloc reportedly snubbed the delegation on Monday, refusing to meet over a dispute about the recognition of their leader, Rep. Richard Koon, as Speaker.

This latest intervention comes at a critical juncture, coinciding with a Supreme Court hearing scheduled for today, March 26, 2025, where Speaker Koffa’s Bill of Information will be addressed. The court’s ruling could significantly influence the trajectory of the crisis, which has already delayed key governance processes, including the submission of the 2025 national budget.

ECOWAS’s renewed efforts underscore growing regional concern over Liberia’s political instability, a nation still healing from its civil war past. The delegation’s first mediation attempt in November 2024, led by ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, failed to bridge the divide, with both sides remaining entrenched. This time, the stakes are higher as the legislative impasse threatens to undermine public confidence in Liberia’s democratic institutions.

Tensions flared further when the Majority Bloc expelled the ECOWAS team from the Capitol Building on Monday, citing a lack of "proper protocol" after the delegation addressed Koon as "Honorable" rather than "Speaker." A Bloc member stated, “We are not children for ECOWAS to decide for us,” signaling defiance against external mediation. Meanwhile, Koffa welcomed the intervention, calling it a vital step toward restoring unity and stability.

On March 18, 2025, an assassination attempt targeted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The attack occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the El-Gaabta intersection, close to the Presidential Palace, as the president’s convoy was passing through the area. Al-Shabaab, a militant Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their intention was to assassinate the president by targeting his convoy with the IED.

Reports indicate that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud survived the explosion unharmed and successfully reached counterterrorism frontlines following the incident. A statement from a Somali official, Hussein Sheikh, confirmed the president’s survival, saying, “President Hassan Sheikh is alive,” which strongly suggests he escaped the attempt on his life. The attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to wage a violent insurgency against the government, frequently targeting high-profile figures and institutions.

This incident has heightened concerns about the stability of Somalia, a country already grappling with a decades-long conflict. Al-Shabaab, which controls parts of southern and central Somalia, has intensified its operations in recent years, despite efforts by Somali forces, supported by international partners like the United States, to weaken the group. The timing of the attack is notable, coming amid reports of U.S. military strikes against Islamic State operatives in northern Somalia earlier in 2025, reflecting the complex web of terrorist threats in the region.