Photo : AP/NYT
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AP/NYT
SOMALIA
Oil tanker hijacked off Somalia
On 24 April, BBC reported that pirates hijacked an oil tanker, “Honour 25”, off the coast of Somalia, with 17 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistanis. The vessel was seized by six gunmen roughly 30 nautical miles offshore before additional armed men boarded, bringing the total to around eleven. Carrying 18,500 barrels of oil, the tanker is now anchored near the Puntland coast between Xaafun and Bander Beyla. The incident marks a resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean, which had seen a decline until recent years. Officials warned the hijacking could worsen fuel shortages in Mogadishu, where petrol prices have already surged amid regional instability linked to the US-Iran conflict. (“Pirates hijack oil tanker off the coast of Somalia,” BBC, 24 April 2026)
TOGO
France expresses concern over extremism spillover in the Sahel
On 25 April, Africa News reported that French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned of the spread of Islamist extremism into coastal West Africa during talks in Lome with Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey. “We have a common concern… the terrorist threat, which we all want to stem and contain,” he said, highlighting how violence linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State has expanded beyond the Sahel into northern parts of Togo. Barrot noted that instability has worsened following French troop withdrawals from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and described Togo as playing a “pivotal role” in regional mediation. Emphasising France’s continued engagement, he said Paris is backing regional efforts so countries can “fully assume their security and sovereignty” amid shifting alliances and growing external influence. (“France voices concern about the spread of Islamist extremism in Sahel,” Africa News, 25 April 2026)