Washington, D. C. United States — January 20, 2026 Lead Paragraph: The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has identified Africa as a region with heightened potential for conflicts in 2026, with Sudan, the Sahel, and Nigeria emerging as key hotspots.
The 2026 Preventive Priorities Survey, a critical tool for U. S. Policymakers, underscores the importance of preventive measures to address these potential crises.
The CFR’s survey notes that the retreat of Western security support, resource-driven conflicts, and delayed or contested election processes are significant risk factors in these regions.
The Sahel, in particular, faces the added challenge of state fragility and the presence of adaptive non — state actors, according to the report.
The Sahel region has long been a concern for international security, and the withdrawal of foreign forces has left it more vulnerable to internal and external threats.
In Sudan, the political transition following the ouster of President Omar al — Bashir has been fraught with challenges, raising concerns about stability and governance. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces a complex security environment, including a long-standing insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and ethnic tensions in the southeast.
The CFR survey, an annual exercise, aims to prevent or prepare for conflict — related crises that could divert attention and resources from other priorities.
The report highlights the interconnected nature of conflicts and emphasizes the role of non — state actors and state fragility in exacerbating instability.
The Africa Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACLED), a global monitoring project, also identifies areas at risk of escalation, including those with entrenched conflicts, state fragility, and adaptive non-state actors.
The situation in these conflict hotspots is fluid and complex, with potential implications for both regional and global security.
Further details are expected as the year unfolds, and efforts to prevent or mitigate conflicts are closely watched by policymakers and observers alike.
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Source: Africa’s top conflict hotspots to watch in 2026, according to U. S.
Risk assessments — [africa.
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*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
