The African continent has witnessed a surge in conflict and violence in recent months, with various factions and military groups engaging in fierce battles across several countries. In Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified their efforts to gain control over North Darfur, leading to a spillover of violence into neighboring Chad. This escalation has been marked by a drone strike on the Chadian border town of Tine, which resulted in the loss of at least 17 civilians. The attack, carried out by the RSF, has prompted a strong response from Chad’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby, who has ordered the national army to respond to any further assaults involving Sudanese armed groups.
In Nigeria, the Borno state capital of Maiduguri has become a focal point of terror, with suicide bombings becoming an increasingly common tactic. On March 16th, three suspected Boko Haram (JAS) suicide bombers targeted the post office, the Monday market, and the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, resulting in the deaths of 23 people. The attacks marked the fifth suicide bombing in 2026 and have raised concerns about the growing collaboration between Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), despite their ongoing competition.
In Benin, the jihadist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has been launching large-scale attacks on military positions, causing significant destruction and loss of life. On March 4th and 7th, JNIM targeted military camps in the natural reserves of Park W and Pendjari, resulting in the capture of weapons and military equipment, including an M113 armored personnel carrier. Authorities reported that the military killed 21 militants, while JNIM claimed to have killed 11 soldiers in the two attacks.
Mozambique has also been addressing violence, particularly in the Cabo Delgado province. On March 25th, Mozambican military commanders admitted responsibility for killing at least 13 fishers on March 15th. The incident occurred when soldiers on a Defense Armed Forces of Mozambique (FADM) vessel opened fire on six boats that had sailed south from Mocímboa da Praia to fish in waters close to Macomia district. This event marked the latest in a series of shootings at sea, with FADM soldiers having killed at least 85 fishers in 10 separate incidents since January 2024.
In Niger, the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) has intensified its violent campaign, launching nine attacks against military and security forces and killing at least 35 personnel. The attacks have targeted military positions in cities such as Tillaberi and Tahoua, as well as rural communes, reflecting a broader trend of pressure mounting on major cities and towns in the central Sahel region. In response, Niger announced the establishment of “Domol Leydi, “state-backed territorial self-defense groups composed of armed volunteers intended to support the country’s military.
Somalia has also been affected by increased violence, with al — Shabaab launching a coordinated campaign targeting civilians across southern and central regions. The campaign, which coincides with Ramadan, has resulted in the deaths of at least 47 people, many of whom were victims of targeted assassinations. Additionally, al-Shabaab has been reinforcing its long-term grip on the country’s economic and logistical arteries by mobilizing additional armed units and establishing mobile checkpoints for patrols to control the movement of goods and people.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: Armed Conflict Location & Event Data
