<p>Sub-Saharan Africa is a study in diversity. Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, the region is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources. It&rsquo;s no surprise that it captured the imagination of Europe&rsquo;s earliest explorers &mdash; and that it continues to capture the imagination of current world powers eager to exploit it. And yet despite the region&rsquo;s diversity, Sub-Saharan African countries have common challenges &mdash; transnational terrorism, rapid population growth, endemic poverty and corruption &mdash; that prevent them from capitalizing on their economic potential. The coming years will be critical for the region, especially as its political institutions mature in a rapidly globalizing world.</p>

Covering an area that spans the entire width of the continent beginning at the Sahara Desert and ending at the southernmost tip of South Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa is home to countless cultures, languages, religions, plants, animals and natural resources.

Sub-Saharan Africa

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The Post-Apartheid Era Ends

The Politics of Pipelines

Old Leaders in a New Africa

Nigeria: Obstacles to Prosperity

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

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The Suitors of Sub-Saharan Africa

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Geopolitical, security and environmental risks threaten to disrupt trade through crucial waterways, including the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Suez Canal, the Danish and Turkish straits, and the Panama Canal.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 2

United States

The flag of Somaliland is seen during a political rally in Hargeisa on Nov. 8, 2024.

The United States is growing more likely to recognize Somaliland's statehood to secure basing rights in the territory, which would likely roil U.S.-Somalia relations and risk plunging Somalia into crisis.

Assessing the Prospect of the U.S. Recognizing Somaliland's Independence

Diverse security risks threaten maritime chokepoints around the world, presenting unique challenges to international trade.

The Geopolitics of Trade: Threats to Maritime Chokepoints Endanger Global Trade, Part 1

Russia

Members of the Unity for Peace in the Central African Republic (UPC) rebel group gather at the DDR (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) site in Maloum, the Central African Republic, on July 24. 2025.

The dissolution of key rebel groups and the reintegration of ex-fighters could stabilize the country after years of conflict, but the process will remain fragile amid funding challenges and potential attacks from non-signatories.

Central African Republic's New Peace Deal Holds Promise, but Challenges Persist

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On Geopolitics

United Arab Emirates

Shipping containers are offloaded from a vessel at Berbera Port in Somaliland on Aug. 31, 2021.   (ED RAM/AFP via Getty Images)

The UAE is expanding its influence across East Africa through large-scale investments and security partnerships, aiming to consolidate its status as a global trade hub and counter regional competitors, at the risk of entangling regional states in broader geopolitical contests.

The UAE's Long Game in East Africa

A Tigrayan flag waves at the entrance of a hospital in Tigray's regional capital, Mekele, on Oct. 10, 2024. 

The ruling TPLF's apparent rapprochement with Eritrea and the rise of anti-TPLF groups are raising the risk of an Ethiopian-Eritrean proxy conflict in Tigray that could eventually spur a larger military escalation.

Ethiopia's Tigray Region Faces a Brewing Storm Amid Shifting Alliances

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What does the country's latest corruption scandal mean for President Cyril Ramaphosa and South African politics? 

Essential Geopolitics: The Outlook for South Africa's Coalition Government

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Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara arrives at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on June 22, 2025, in Abidjan. 

President Ouattara's decision to seek a fourth term in Cote d'Ivoire's upcoming election, amid leading opposition candidates' inability to run, is fueling rising political tensions and increasing the risk of a post-election crisis.

Cote d'Ivoire Gears Up for a Heated Election Season 

China

Japan

Philippines

 The European Union and China will hold a high-level leaders' summit July 24 in Beijing, marking the 50th anniversary of Chinese-EU diplomatic relations.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: An EU-China Summit, South Africa's Budget Vote

U.S.-China Relations

A demonstrator holds a Kenyan flag on a street in Nairobi, Kenya, during a pro-democracy protest on July 7, 2025. 

Growing anger over Ruto's economic policies and crackdown on dissent will hinder his efforts to reduce Kenya's fiscal deficit and portend recurring bouts of violent and disruptive protests.

No End in Sight to Kenya's Cycle of Deadly Protests

Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said that the Kenyan government had launched an investigation into the alleged presence of forces from Somalia's Jubaland state in the town of Mandera in northeastern Kenya, Citizen Digital reported on Sept. 3.

Kenya, Somalia: Tensions Rise in Northeast Over Alleged Presence of Jubaland Forces

Mozambican opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, has been sworn in as a member of the Council of State, an advisory body to the president, Club of Mozambique reported Sept. 2.

Mozambique: Opposition Leader Takes Seat on Presidential Advisory Council

A spokesperson for Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) claimed that the group captured the north-central neighborhoods of Dimsilk and Ziyadia and the Mellit bus station in the center of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, Sudan Tribune reported on Sept. 1.

Sudan: RSF Claims Gains in El Fasher

France

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to "strengthen" and "renew" relations between France and Senegal following a bilateral meeting in Paris, Radio France Internationale reported on Aug. 28. 

Senegal: Faye Indicates Plans To Strengthen Relationship With France Following Meeting With Macron

Tanzania's electoral commission announced that it would not allow the opposition ACT-Wazalendo party's presidential candidate, Luhaga Mpina, to run in the country's Oct. 29 general election, Reuters reported on Aug. 27.

Tanzania: President Hassan Locks Presidential Race as ACT-Wazalendo Flagbearer Barred From Running

On the night of Aug. 24-25, unidentified armed men from neighboring Burkina Faso attacked the Ivorian border town of Difita in Tehini department, marking the first deadly assault in Cote d'Ivoire linked to jihadist activity since 2021, Jeune Afrique reported on Aug. 26. 

Cote d'Ivoire: Four Killed and One Missing in Attack Near Burkinabe Border

Libya

The Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, announced plans to activate a 260,000-strong counterterrorism force to address insecurity in West Africa, particularly in the Sahel, Daily Trust reported on Aug. 26.

West Africa: Regional Bloc To Mobilize Counterterrorism Force

Somalia's federal government and a faction of the opposition within the Somali Salvation Forum reached an agreement on the 2026 elections, RFI reported on Aug. 26.

Somalia: President and Some Opposition Leaders Reach Agreement on Upcoming Elections

Sub-Saharan Africa

SITUATION REPORTS

Kenya, Somalia: Tensions Rise in Northeast Over Alleged Presence of Jubaland Forces

Mozambique: Opposition Leader Takes Seat on Presidential Advisory Council

Sudan: RSF Claims Gains in El Fasher

Senegal: Faye Indicates Plans To Strengthen Relationship With France Following Meeting With Macron

Tanzania: President Hassan Locks Presidential Race as ACT-Wazalendo Flagbearer Barred From Running

Cote d'Ivoire: Four Killed and One Missing in Attack Near Burkinabe Border

West Africa: Regional Bloc To Mobilize Counterterrorism Force

Somalia: President and Some Opposition Leaders Reach Agreement on Upcoming Elections

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