Future Reports

  Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, is grappling with a catastrophic flood, the worst the city has seen in over 30 years. Triggered by the overflow and collapse of the Alau Dam, the disaster has left over a million people displaced, submerged entire communities, and killed at least 30 individuals. While heavy rainfall exacerbated by climate change played a role, the tragedy also shines a harsh light on systemic failures in governance, infrastructure, and preparedness. The immediate cause of the flood was the collapse of a spillway at the Alau Dam, which was overwhelmed by excessive rainfall. This rainfall swelled rivers such as the Ngaddabul, which feeds into the dam. The dam, constructed in the 1980s to regulate water flow, provide irrigation, and mitigate flooding, ultimately failed to handle the unusually high-water levels this year. The bursting of the dam led to flash floods that inundated about 40% of Maiduguri. However, blaming this disaster sol...

  Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has taken a bold and controversial step by dissolving the country's opposition-led parliament, just six months after assuming office. This move is seen as a strategic effort to pave the way for snap legislative elections, scheduled for November 17. Faye, elected on an anti-establishment platform, framed the dissolution as necessary to advance the "systemic transformation" he promised during his campaign. While the decision may allow him to push forward with his ambitious reform agenda, it has also sparked significant debate about its legality, implications, and timing. Faye's rise to power was fuelled by widespread frustration, particularly among Senegalese youth, over the country's political and economic direction. His election victory represented a strong desire for change, with promises to reduce corruption, secure a larger share of the country's natural resources, and implement broad institutional reforms. Yet...

The village of Mafa, in Yobe State, once again found itself the target of a brutal Boko Haram attack. On September 1, 2024, fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) descended on the village, killing more than 170 people, according to local reports. Despite previous threats, government assurances led villagers to return to their homes . In the aftermath of the attack, questions have arisen about whether Nigerians and their leaders have become desensitized to these tragic events. Mafa, like many communities in north-eastern Nigeria, has long been a battleground in the fight against Boko Haram and its splinter groups. In late July, after receiving threats from ISWAP, the village was evacuated. Residents fled to nearby Babban Gida, hoping to escape the violence that has plagued the region for over a decade. However, after receiving reassurances from local officials that the area was safe, most of Mafa's residents returned—only to be met with devastating consequenc...

  The 2024 China-Africa Summit, held in Beijing, offers a critical lens through which to examine the evolving dynamics between China and African nations. This year’s summit, marking the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), has been particularly significant, reflecting a shift in China’s strategy and a broader rethinking of the China-Africa relationship amid growing global challenges. The China-Africa summit, which will last from September 4 to 6, will see leaders of African countries meet and discuss policies and cooperation agreements with officials from the continent’s biggest lender and investor. Those agreements will set the tone for the two side’s burgeoning relations for the next few years. A key theme emerging from the summit is China's strategic recalibration in Africa. Historically, China's engagement on the continent was characterized by massive infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These projects, often funded by large loans,...