Africa Brief – April 2025: Escalating Zones of Instability

Monthly Strategic Brief on Geopolitical and Humanitarian issues in Africa.

🔴 Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Goma Region

  • Conflict between M23 rebels and government forces is intensifying near Goma, displacing over 200,000 people recently.
  • Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23, escalating regional tensions.
  • UN and humanitarian agencies are warning of a major crisis, especially in North Kivu.
  • This is likely what your contact was referring to — not entirely new, but suddenly escalating.

📌 Signal tag: conflict, displacement, Congo, Great Lakes, M23, Rwanda

🟠 Sudan – Darfur & National Crisis

  • Renewed ethnic violence in Darfur, including mass killings in El Fasher.
  • The RSF–Army war has led to millions displaced and a growing famine threat.
  • Sudan may become the world’s largest displacement crisis in 2025 (per UN warnings).

📌 Signal tag: civil war, famine risk, Sudan, RSF, Darfur

🟡 South Sudan

  • Flooding and continued instability displace thousands.
  • While less in headlines, it remains an ongoing humanitarian crisis needing attention.

📌 Signal tag: instability, climate, South Sudan

🟠 Burkina Faso / Mali / Niger (Sahel)

  • Jihadist insurgencies continue, with Burkina Faso seeing entire villages emptied.
  • Humanitarian access is extremely limited due to military regimes.
  • Niger’s border regions are especially volatile post-coup.

📌 Signal tag: jihadism, military regimes, Sahel