Photo : AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : AFP
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
At least 69 killed in militia attacks in eastern DR Congo’s Ituri province
On 10 May, Al Jazeera reported that at least 69 people were killed in a series of attacks in Ituri province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed groups linked to longstanding ethnic and militia conflicts continue to target civilians. According to security and civil society sources, fighters from the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO), a coalition claiming to defend the Lendu community, carried out retaliatory attacks on several villages on April 28 following an earlier assault by the Convention for the Popular Revolution (CRP), a group aligned with the Hema community, on Congolese army positions near Pimbo. Local officials said bodies remained scattered near targeted villages such as Bassa because ongoing insecurity delayed recovery operations, while only 25 victims had reportedly been buried. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) condemned the attacks and said it had rescued nearly 200 civilians caught in fighting, while Amnesty International warned that overstretched Congolese security forces were leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable amid simultaneous threats from CODECO, the CRP, M23 rebels and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). (“Rebel fighters kill at least 69 people in northeastern DR Congo,” Al Jazeera, 10 May 2026)
KENYA
Macron visits Kenya ahead of summit aimed at redefining France-Africa relations
On 11 May, Africa News reported that French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Kenya ahead of the Africa Forward Summit, an event intended to promote France’s new approach to Africa centred on what Paris describes as partnerships of equals rather than the traditional “Françafrique” model of political, economic and military influence. Hosted for the first time in an Anglophone African country, the summit comes after France completed the withdrawal of its troops from West Africa amid declining regional influence and criticism from African leaders over what they viewed as heavy-handed policies. Kenyan President William Ruto described the summit as a potential “turning point” in bilateral relations, while opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka criticised Kenya’s selection as host, citing concerns over democracy and human rights ahead of the country’s 2027 elections. During the visit, France and Kenya signed 11 agreements covering sectors including nuclear energy, transport and agriculture, with Macron stating the investments aimed to strengthen Africa’s “human capital” and innovation capacity. (“Africa Forward Summit: France seeks fresh start with Africa,” Africa News, 11 May 2026)
MOROCCO
Body of missing US soldier recovered during search operation in Morocco
On 11 May, Africa News reported that Moroccan authorities recovered the body of one of two missing United States soldiers who disappeared during the African Lion 2026 military exercises near the Cap Draa training area in southern Morocco. According to the Moroccan army, the servicemen went missing near a cliff on the Atlantic coast last Saturday, prompting a large-scale multinational search operation involving US, Moroccan and allied forces across more than 8000 square kilometres of sea and coastline. A US military official told AFP that the soldiers were believed to have fallen into the sea in what appeared to be an accident rather than a terrorism-related incident. The recovered soldier’s body was transferred to a military hospital pending repatriation, while search efforts continued for the second missing serviceman using aircraft, cave divers and unmanned underwater vehicles. The African Lion 2026 exercises involve nearly 5000 troops from over 40 countries participating in joint security and defence training activities. (“Body recovered in search for two missing US soldiers in Morocco,” Africa News, 11 May 2026)
NIGERIA
Boko Haram attack kills 18 loggers in northeast Nigeria
On 11 May, Africa News reported that Boko Haram fighters killed at least 18 loggers near the village of Abaram in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State, according to local residents and anti-jihadist militia members. The attackers, travelling on motorcycles, reportedly rounded up the loggers in the bush outside Bama district and opened fire, with 11 bodies recovered initially and seven more discovered the following day after a search operation. Local sources said the victims had sustained gunshot wounds, while some were allegedly chased into the bush and killed as they attempted to flee. Boko Haram and its rival faction Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have increasingly targeted loggers, farmers, fishermen and herders in the region, accusing them of collaborating with security forces. The attack comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions in northeast Nigeria, where aid cuts have forced many displaced families to rely on logging and other risky activities to survive during the country’s prolonged insurgency. (“Boko Haram jihadists kill 18 loggers in Nigeria's Borno state,” Africa News, 11 May 2026)