Africa News - Timeline of conflicts in Africa with live updates

Niger: On January 5, 2026, around 2 AM, the home of the prefect of Torodi, near the Burkinabe border in western Niger, was besieged. At least 7 people were killed, including the prefect of Torodi.

Nigeria: On Sunday, January 4, 2026, in the evening, an FDS patrol from the 145th Battalion of Damasak struck an IED previously planted by terrorists. The patrol was moving from Maiduguri to Damasak, near Gubio (Borno). The explosion was violent and deadly.

M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, are setting up a rival government in eastern DRC, with the coordination and support of the Rwandan Defence Forces, seeking to establish themselves as an alternative governance authority to the Congolese state - Bloomberg

Somalia and Qatar signed a defense cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening their military ties and security coordination. This initiative follows Mogadishu's decision to cancel its security and defense agreements with the United Arab Emirates.

Benin: On the morning of 10/02/2026, several dozen JNIM terrorists attacked the village of Bagou-Bagou along the RN11 southeast of Kérou (Atacora). The toll is still uncertain but the damage is significant.

Mali: On the morning of 29/01/2026, a fuel convoy from Senegal was attacked by nearly 100 terrorists from Katiba Macina JNIM. All the tanker trucks, nearly fifty of them, were set on fire by the terrorists.

Niger: On the night of January 28-29, 2026, shortly before midnight, a large-scale terrorist attack using drones, mortars, and motorcycle-borne terrorists took place on the airport area of BA 101 in southeastern Niamey. EIGS terrorists claimed the attack.

Benin: The Kouandé police station was targeted by an armed attack at dawn on 24/02/2026. Armed men targeted the security infrastructure before setting it on fire, causing significant material damage.

Burkina: On 22/02/2026 around 2 PM, several dozen JNIM terrorists on motorcycles attacked an FDS post in Zambendé (Koulpelogo) on the border with Togo. After nearly an hour of exchanging fire, the terrorists fled.

Nigeria: On the night of March 18-19 around 1 AM, more than a hundred Boko Haram or ISWAP terrorists attempted to attack the military camp of the 68th Battalion in Mallam Fatori (Borno State) on the border with Niger 🇳🇪.

Chad: On 18/03 around 5 PM, a drone attack took place in the Mabrouka district of the border town of Tiné-Djagaraba (Wadi Fira). Civilians participating in a funeral vigil were hit.

Africa: Summary of MARCH 2026 – Attacks by armed groups in West Africa.

Mali: On 28/04/2026, JNIM announces the beginning of a total siege against Bamako.

DRC: (Ituri) In Pimbo in Djugu territory, a CRP attack kills 10 people, including 5 women, on the night of April 27-28, 2026. Traditional sources from Walendu Djatsi even mention population displacements.

Ghana: Three civilians were killed and one other wounded in an armed attack targeting a military convoy in Binduri, Upper East region, as Ghanaian forces were escorting civilian populations.

Mali: An unprecedented agreement between Russia and the FLA allowed for the withdrawal of Africa Corps paramilitaries from Kidal and the handover of certain positions to the rebels, without consulting the Malian government. On the Malian side, several senior officials were killed or wounded, while President Assimi Goïta was exfiltrated to a safe location.

Mali: On 25/04/2026 at daybreak, a coordinated attack by Tuareg rebels of the FLA and JNIM terrorists targeted numerous localities in the country.

Mali: The Governor of the Bamako District, Mr. Abdoulaye Coulibaly, has just made a major decision this Saturday, April 25, 2026. A curfew imposed immediately throughout the Bamako District

Burkina Faso: On 22/04/26, several dozen JNIM terrorists attacked the military post protecting the village of Bagmoussa (Koulpélogo, Centre-Est). The toll is very heavy.

Mali: On 20/04, two foreign nationals detained by JNIM were released. They are two geologists abducted by the terrorist group in July 2024 in Mbanga (Tillabéri region, Niger): Oleg Gret, a Russian citizen, and Yuri Yurov, Ukrainian.

Mali: On 30/04/26, around 5 AM, several dozen terrorists from Katiba Gourma (JNIM) attacked the Kessingui camp in Hombori. According to initial information, there were no human losses as the FAMa abandoned the camp before the arrival of the terrorists.

Benin: 4 Beninese soldiers killed in a jihadist attack on the Burkinabe border. On the night of May 25-26, 2026, two Beninese army positions were attacked in the Kourou-Koualou area.

Mali: This Wednesday, May 27, the first day of the religious holiday of Tabaski, the Malian Armed Forces and Africa Corps conducted a nighttime aerial operation against Kidal, apparently emptied of its inhabitants: the human toll among FLA members remains unknown, but the historic mosque in the Aliou district was completely destroyed.

Burkina Faso: On 12/05/2026, nearly 300 Ansarul Islam (JNIM) terrorists attacked the outskirts of the town of Diabo (Gourma, Goulmou, East).

DRC Congo: The AFC-M23 threatens to respond to new attacks by the FARDC and their allies by taking new territories, in order to create a security perimeter. This is what can be read in this statement published on 01/06/2026

Mali: The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) and Africa Corps conducted several operations in central and northern Mali to counter the JNIM/FLA dynamic in Kirnya, the Ségou and Timbuktu regions. On 23/06/2026, JNIM claimed the attack carried out against a FAMa and Africa Corps convoy on the axis linking Soribougou to Sibikoro, in the Kayes region.

Niger: The Nigerien situation remains critical with several attacks by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) in recent days on several points of the territory, including in the capital Niamey. On June 18 in Niamey, the main entrance of Diori-Hamani airport was attacked at dawn, leading to a deployment of the Nigerien Armed Forces to secure the capital.

Mali: The FAMA announce that they have repelled a terrorist attack against a logistics convoy immobilized by heavy rains near N'Djéla. A provisional toll reports several assailants neutralized, while mopping-up operations continue.

Benin: The Bariénou police station, in the commune of Djougou, was the target of an attack on the night of Sunday to Monday, by unidentified individuals. According to the Head of the Bariénou district, Ganiou Kpékpassi, reached by phone, there are no human losses to report.

Mali: Following the attacks suffered across the entire territory by the FLA and JNIM on 04/07/2026. The Malian Armed Forces issued two statements.

Mali: On the evening of 04/07, JNIM claimed 10 attacks spread across the entire Malian territory. Situation report following the "2nd phase" of coordinated attacks carried out by the FLA and JNIM.

Niger: On the morning of June 30, 2026, in Torodi, the Nigerien army repelled an attack and neutralized about twenty terrorists in the southwest of the country. Several military equipment items were seized by Nigerien security forces, according to local media.

Nigeria: At least 48 people abducted by armed men were rescued by troops of the Northwest Joint Task Force following an attack carried out on the night of July 25-26 against the village of Magami, in Zamfara State.

Niger: On 17/07/2026, 3 villages in Dorodji were attacked and ISSP ambushed a Nigerien army patrol near Doungouro. 3 villages in Dorodji, in the Dosso region, were attacked: Dorodji Koira Béri, Dorodji Sékou Koira, and Dorodji Koira Zéno.

Between 18/07/26 and 19/07/26, JNIM launched 6 IED attacks against FAMa convoys and their Russian auxiliaries on the RN16 between the towns of Douentza and Boni and seized the FAMa military camp in Kouakourou on 19/07/26 and apparently burned almost all of it.

DR CONGO: At least 13 civilians killed and an entire village burned down during an ADF attack in Mambasa territory in Ituri province.

Niger: On August 21, 2026, terrorists carried out an attack of rare violence against Tessa, the main town of the commune located in the Dosso department. According to local sources, 18 gendarmes lost their lives during the assault. Heavily armed and arriving on about ten motorcycles, the assailants set fire to the military camp before looting the Nita and Amana money transfer agencies.

DRC Congo: Military drones targeted, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the Mwalu hotel, located in Fizi-Centre, in Fizi territory, South Kivu, according to the operational sector Sukola 2 South-South-Kivu. The Congolese army accuses Rwanda of this drone strike against the Mwalu hotel.

Burkina Faso: In the Eastern Region, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, JNIM attacked and took control of a Burkinabe army barracks in Tawori, Fada N'Gourma province.

Burkina Faso: On August 17, 2026, JNIM claimed a targeted attack against Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) fighters in Oudalan province, near the tri-border area, more specifically in the localities of Bangao and Dorkoye.

Niger: The MPLJ confirms the attack of August 15, 2026, on the Niger National Guard (GNN) camp in Seguedine near the Libyan border, as well as a barrier jointly manned by the Police, Gendarmerie, and Customs.

Mali: The 82 FAMA soldiers taken hostage after the April 25 offensives by the JNIM/FLA coalition were released on 13/08/2026. This release is the result of intense negotiations between the Malian government🇲🇱, the FLA, and the JNIM. No details on the quid pro quos of this agreement have so far leaked.

DRC: South Kivu — The AFC M23 accuses the FARDC and the Burundian army, as well as mercenaries, of launching a new airstrike at Point Zero, which resulted in civilian casualties. According to Lawrence Kanyuka, its spokesperson, the AFC M23 will take all necessary measures to establish a security perimeter to protect the population.

Mali: On the morning of September 7, 2026, the JNIM ambushed a patrol of the Africa Corps and the Malian Army near Kaka in the Mopti region.

Burkina Faso: JNIM has claimed responsibility for several attacks on military bases of the Burkinabé Armed Forces in recent days. On September 27, the terrorist group reportedly took control of an army headquarters in Tougouri, near Kaya in the North-Central region, as well as a VDP military outpost. On the morning of September 28, the terrorist group also reportedly targeted a VDP position in Niagoudou, also near Kaya.

Mali: JNIM Claims Responsibility for the Sévaré Attack and Provides a Casualty Toll Yesterday, September 20, 2026, JNIM issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack on the Sévaré airbase, carried out “using mortar fire and SPG-9 rocket-propelled grenades,” six days earlier.

Mali: Dioura Attack: Members of Africa Corps, including five Russian paramilitaries from Africa Corps, were reportedly killed during the JNIM attack on September 10, 2026. On September 14, 2026, as part of the air-ground operations launched by the army, operations to search for and neutralize terrorist groups were carried out.

Mali: Sévaré Airport was targeted by a suicide drone attack on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. According to several sources, military aircraft were reportedly destroyed.

Mali: On Wednesday, October 7, the Malian army and its Russian partners from the Africa Corps retook the northern city of Kidal, less than six months after being driven out by FLA separatists and their jihadist allies from JNIM, which is linked to al-Qaeda.

Mali: The FLA announces it is withdrawing from the city of Kidal. The separatist group says it is “carrying out a strategic withdrawal” from Kidal in light of the growing risks to civilians in the city.

Mali: JNIM claims "this morning, the control of a barracks in Sirakorola & a checkpoint in Koulikoro city"

Somalia: In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against Al Shabaab on May 24, the second in one week.

Mali: On May 23, shortly after 2 PM, nearly 100 terrorists from Katiba Macina (JNIM) attacked the military camp in Dioura (Ténenkou, Mopti). The toll is heavy.

Nigeria (Benue): More than 30 dead in a suspected nighttime attack by Fulani herders in Yelewata.

Mali: On the night of June 11-12, between 2 AM and 4 AM, several dozen terrorists from Katiba Macina (#JNIM) attacked the Chinese mining camp of the company "Golend Beach" in Narena (#Kangaba, #Koulikoro). Despite the defense by security post agents, the terrorists entered the site. One civilian was killed and one police officer was wounded. Several trucks and construction equipment were destroyed.

Togo: On the night of June 8-9, several dozen #JNIM terrorists crossed the border to attack the #Kpinkankandi camp (#Kpékankandi, #Kpendjal). At least 6 terrorists were neutralized and 3 were taken prisoner.

Mali: The Islamic State claims the capture of Tessit: at least 40 victims, 15 vehicles destroyed, and 11 vehicles captured. The attack is part of the series of terrorist attacks carried out recently.

Niger: A terrorist attack targeted the locality of Bermo, in the north of the Dakoro department (Maradi region), in the very center of Niger, this Sunday, June 8, 2025, at around 2:30 PM.

Mali: Statement from the Malian army regarding a plan for widespread reprisals following recent jihadist attacks.

Mali: The Wagner Group, via its Telegram channel, announces its departure from Mali, after a deployment of three and a half years.

Mali: On 05/06, terrorists from Katiba Macina (#JNIM) attacked a gravel extraction site in Krikrou (#Kilikourou, #Koulikoro) between Siby and Narena on the RN5, 60 km southwest of the capital Bamako. Workers are reported missing but no victims were found on site. Construction equipment, light vehicles, and a motorcycle were set on fire. The offices were also burned down.

Niger: The President of #Niger, Abdourahmane #Tiani, accuses #France and the #USA of funding #JNIM in the #Sahel region.

Benin: On the evening of Wednesday, June 4, 2025, unidentified armed individuals carried out an attack on the Tanongou police station in the commune of Tanguiéta. The toll reports five dead, including two police officers and three soldiers.

Mali: On June 1 at 5:30 AM, more than 200 terrorists from Katiba Macina (#JNIM) attacked the military camp in Boulkessi (Douentza). The attack was very violent and the toll is very heavy.

Togo: At least seven dead and several wounded during protests against the current regime in late June in Lomé

DRC–Rwanda: A peace agreement signed in Washington, supported by Trump and welcomed by the international community

Togo: Deployment of security forces in Lomé following calls to protest against the current government.

Mali: Assimi Goïta received by Vladimir #Putin at the Kremlin. This meeting concluded with the signing of cooperation documents between Moscow and Bamako. It also resulted in the formalization of defense cooperation, a few days after the departure of #Wagner, replaced by the #Africacorps.

Niger: On Monday, June 23, 2025, an attack by unidentified armed groups targeted the #Sambera brigade, a rural commune in the Dosso department: 2 gendarmes are reported to have lost their lives.

Niger: 34 soldiers fell and 14 were wounded in the #terrorist attack that targeted this Thursday, June 19, the #FDS camp in #Banibangou, #Tillabéri region, #Mali border.

Benin: A police post attacked in Toucountouna, following the one in Sonsoro. According to gathered information, on the night of Wednesday, June 18 to Thursday, June 19, 2025, armed individuals, identified as members of a terrorist group, set fire to the facility. No human losses were reported.

In Washington, Congolese and Rwandan experts initialed a preparatory document for a peace agreement under the auspices of the #UnitedStates. The official signing by the ministers is expected on June 27, before a possible summit in July with Donald present

MALI: On June 17, 2025, in Koulikoro, terrorists attacked a #FAMa position in #Zambougou. No casualty report available.

SOMALIA: On June 16, 2025, a Ugandan contingent of the African Force operating in the #Afgoye sector fell into a terrorist ambush involving a suicide vehicle. 14 soldiers fell, 07 wounded, 01 armored vehicle and several other vehicles destroyed.

Congo: In the East of the DRC, HRW (Human Rights Watch) accuses the AFC/M23 of having forcibly transferred 1,500 civilians to Rwanda

Benin: On June 16, 2025, at around 11:45 PM, terrorist elements set fire to the Sonsoro police station in Kandi (#Alibori).

DRC: In northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at least thirty civilians were killed on the night of July 9 in new attacks this week attributed to the ADF Islamists in Irumu territory, Ituri province.

Mali: General Assimi Goïta promulgated a law granting him an UNLIMITED mandate as president of Mali. (AFP)

Benin: From 30/06 to 04/07, a military "anti-terrorist" exercise was organized in southern Benin. The exercise, titled "#Bouclier," aimed to train more than 560 #Garde_Nationale personnel to prepare them for deployment within operation #MIRADOR: a military initiative aimed at fighting terrorism in the north of the country, started in 2022.

Trump wants African leaders to start buying American equipment "And continue to pursue the fight against terrorism," #Trump said. For recall, several West African states have sidelined the United States and #France and turned to Russia for help in the fight against terrorism.

The Congolese and Ugandan armies are intensifying their operations against ADF rebels in Ituri province in eastern DRC.

Togo-Burkina Faso Border: On July 5, 2025, around 3:00 PM, a Defense Forces patrol Jeep was hit by a command-detonated IED attack triggered by terrorists in Pognoa-Tikonti (Burkina Faso); resulting in 03 soldiers killed and some wounded.

Mali: The General Staff of the Armies informs the public of coordinated attacks carried out early this morning, July 1, 2025, against the #FAMa positions in NIONO, MOLODO, SANDARÉ, NIORO DU SAHEL, DIBOLI, GOGUI, and KAYES.

Niger: On 24/06, terrorist elements affiliated with #EIGS attacked in the late afternoon the villages of #Ezzak, #Tatararat, #Tarjarmourghatt, and #Addas. At least 28 civilians lost their lives during these coordinated incursions.

BurkinaFaso: #Koulpélogo: On July 28, 2025, the intelligence service reported a regrouping of terrorist elements in the province. With the intention of carrying out attacks against FDS and VDP positions in the localities of #SABLOGO, (#SOUDOUGUI and #BISSIGA.)

Congo DRC: At least 30 people were killed on the night of Saturday to Sunday, July 27, during an attack by ADF Islamists in Komanda, 75 km from the city of Bunia (Irumu territory) in Ituri.

Congo DRC: Despite the Doha process, the AFC/M23 continues its conquests; the Mulema agglomeration came under their control after clashes with the wazalendo in Masisi this Friday

Burkina Faso: Fada N'Gourma University was again hit by a terrorist attack. On Saturday evening, July 19, several pieces of equipment used for road construction within the institution were set on fire. A few weeks ago, the security post of this university had already been targeted.

Niger: A terrorist attack occurred yesterday, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, around 6 PM, between Margou Béné and Kodo on the Niamey-Dosso axis. This involves a terrorist group coming from W Park who targeted employees of an Indian company responsible for building electricity pylons on the Niamey-Dosso axis. The toll reports 4 people killed, including two employees and 2 members of the national guard responsible for the security of the agents on site.

Mali: On 14/07 around 11 AM, members of the rebel group #FLA (Front de Libération de l'Azawad) ambushed a #FAMa convoy in the #Alkit valley between #Anéfis and #Kidak. The convoy consisted of 8 vehicles, including 1 Chinese VP11 armored vehicle.

Congo DRC: In northeastern #DRC, Ituri province was struck by a bloody attack attributed to the #ADF, an EI-affiliated group. At least 43 civilians were killed, including 19 women, 15 men, and 9 children, according to a preliminary toll.

DRC: More than 45 people killed in one month in attacks by armed groups in Djugu

Mali: On September 14, 2025, the terrorist group #JNIM carried out a large-scale attack against a convoy of tanker trucks escorted by the #FAMa between #Kaniéra and #Lakamane, on the RN1, in the #Kayes region.

Benin: The diocese of N'Dali has suspended its pastoral activities in several villages following a jihadist attack in #Kalalé in northeastern Benin, near #Nigeria. The local police station was targeted and several civilians were abducted.

Benin: As part of military cooperation between the two Armies, the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre made a stopover in Benin. This stopover allowed maneuvers to be conducted with both the Beninese Navy and the Beninese Army.

Mali: A convoy of more than 60 trucks supplies the city under FAMa escort from Gao. An important supply convoy, consisting of more than sixty trucks, arrived this November 12 in Kidal, bringing a breath of relief to the populations.

Nigeria: Nearly 200 fighters were killed in violent clashes between rival factions of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad region. This internal battle, one of the deadliest in recent years, illustrates the fratricidal war tearing apart the jihadist groups active in northeastern Nigeria.

Burkina Faso: The tanker convoy, which left Niamey for Bamako a few days ago, was attacked last night between Dori and Ouagadougou, in Burkinabe territory, by JNIM assailants. The convoy had stopped in Dori on November 6, 2025, before continuing its journey to Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso: On November 7, 2025, violent clashes have pitted EIGS terrorists against JNIM terrorists in recent days in northeastern Burkina Faso, within the tri-border area. After several hours of fighting, EIGS took control of several positions previously held by JNIM in the Gordadji region.

Mali: JNIM continues its attacks against the tanker trucks supplying #Bamako, multiplying ambushes in Kayes, one of the entry points for #Mali's trade.

Mali: 5 Indians were abducted on November 6 in Kobri (Kita) by JNIM. They were working on an energy project.

France calls on its nationals to leave Mali immediately. Specifying that "overland travel remains inadvisable, as national roads are currently the target of attacks by terrorist groups"

NIGERIA: On November 4, 2025, the terrorist group "Lakurawa" ambushed the convoy of MP Jafaru Damisa, escorted by the Nigerian army. The attack occurred between Babana and Luma, in Niger State. One army soldier was killed and several others wounded, while the politician escaped unharmed.

Burkina Faso: On November 1, JNIM's Katiba Hanifa announced that it had taken control of the town of Bani. The VDP military barracks were set on fire. They had just been provided with several motorcycles by the military authorities, but all of these were recovered by the terrorists.

Nigeria: JNIM has officially claimed for the first time an attack against the Nigerian army, marking a significant step in the geographical expansion of its armed activities.

Niger: On November 19, 2025, a complex attack struck this Wednesday afternoon the position of the National Gendarmerie in Garbougna, located on the Téra-Niamey axis, in the Tillabéri region of Niger. The assault was carried out by EIGS.

DRC: A ground movement at the Kalando mining site causes several dozen deaths

Benin: Soldiers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri announce a coup d'état, claiming to have overthrown President Patrice Talon. According to this declaration, all institutions are dissolved and the borders are closed.

"Mali: In recent days, JNIM has claimed on its official channels 3 explosive device attacks on the Malian army and Africa Corps. 📍 21/12 morning: a FAMa and Africa Corps truck targeted by a mine on the road between Timbuktu and Goundam. 📍 21/12 evening: a FAMa gathering targeted by an explosion in the town of Kona, Mopti region. 📍 23/12 morning: a FAMa vehicle targeted by an IED between the towns of San and Djenné, in the Ségou region."

Nigeria: On Christmas Day, US authorities announced they had launched an attack against Islamic State terrorists, accused of killing Christians in the northwest of the country.