The state of African security: Six critical countries

Despite continuing challenges, six countries—Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania—demonstrate a case for hope in sub-Saharan Africa in 2019. In Africa’s most populous country, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was elected this year to a second term and is working to tackle the Boko Haram conflict he inherited. Ethiopia has made great progress toward peace under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, whose tenure includes repairing relations with neighboring Eritrea and freeing political prisoners. Similarly, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has the opportunity to further support existing movements to improve human rights and the treatment of political prisoners. In South Africa, the legitimate election of President Cyril Ramaphosa offers hope for the future of leadership and citizen trust. Finally, in the two cornerstones of East Africa, Kenya is experiencing upward trends in regional and local politics under Uhuru Kenyatta’s latest