In 2025, despite efforts by regional and international actors to curb conflicts, Africa remains gripped by widespread violence.
From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, and from the Great Lakes to Southern Africa, the continent faces a complex web of political instability, ethnic tensions, and resource-driven disputes.
Millions are displaced, and thousands have died, according to reports from the Institute for Security Studies and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
The Sahel is one of the most volatile regions, with jihadist groups like Boko Haram, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin intensifying attacks across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad.
The withdrawal of French and UN peacekeeping forces has created a security vacuum, emboldening insurgents.
Over two million people have been displaced in the Sahel alone, with thousands killed in targeted attacks on villages and military outposts. Weak governments, often destabilized by coups, struggle to restore order.
In the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia remains a conflict hotspot. Despite the 2022 peace agreement ending the Tigray War, sporadic violence continues due to ethnic rivalries and political fragmentation. Somalia battles Al-Shabaab, the Islamic Emirate of Somalia, which continues to launch attacks in Mogadishu and beyond. Sudan, still reeling from its 2023 civil war, sees ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, displacing over 6 million people in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
The African Great Lakes region, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, remains unstable. The resurgence of the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by external actors, has destabilized North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Competition over mineral resources like cobalt and coltan fuels conflict, with armed groups vying for control of mining areas. Additionally, Rwanda and Uganda have been accused of supporting rebel factions, further complicating regional dynamics.
Southern Africa, which is historically more stable, has seen rising unrest in 2025. South Africa faces widespread protests and xenophobic attacks driven by economic inequality and high unemployment. Similarly, Zimbabwe experiences growing political tensions ahead of its 2026 elections, with opposition groups accusing the ruling ZANU-PF party of suppressing dissent.
The international response to the instability has been uneven. While humanitarian aid and development programs provide some relief, they often fail to address root causes like poverty, inequality, and weak governance.
The UN and African Union face funding shortfalls and bureaucratic hurdles, with the UN’s 2025 peacekeeping budget cut by 15 percent, further limiting crisis response capabilities.
As Africa enters the second half of the decade, sustainable solutions are urgently needed.
Experts stress the importance of addressing systemic issues, fostering regional cooperation, and combining security, governance, and economic development initiatives.
Without significant political will and investment, Africa’s conflicts are likely to persist, with devastating consequences for its people and the global community.
The continent remains at a crossroads, balancing hope for peace against the harsh reality of ongoing violence.