Regions and Country Groups

Horn of Africa

Research focuses on countering terrorism and violent extremism and exploring conflict, security and peace operations in the region.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Our research in this region explores the conflict, security and peace operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, with specific focus on countering terrorism and violent extremism, combatting illegal wildlife trade, environmental crime and climate security.

Latest news and comment

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Horn of Africa
The withdrawal of troops would also leave Ethiopia vulnerable to jihadist attacks, Christopher Hockey, a senior researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC. The planned deployment of Egyptian troops along its eastern border would also make Ethiopia particularly apprehensive, he added. Egypt sees Ethiopia’s Nile dam - in the west of the country - as an existential threat – and has warned in the past that it will take “measures” should its security be threatened.
Christopher Hockey
Senior Research Fellow
30 August 2024
Piracy
Over the past three months, there has been more piracy in the Horn of Africa region than at any point in the last six years, according to Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), an independent think tank, with high ransoms for seafarers or vessels, and robbing of ship passengers by pirates.
7 February 2024
Ruen Hijacking
"The Ruen hijacking was likely carried out by Somalia-based pirates," said Simon Rynn, senior research fellow for African Security at the Royal United Services Institute. "The resurgence coincides with the Houthi campaign against Israeli-linked shipping but if there is a connection it would at most be due to counter-piracy actors being distracted."
Simon Rynn
Senior Research Fellow, African Security
20 December 2023

Our experts

Cathy Haenlein

Director of Organised Crime and Policing Studies

Organised Crime and Policing

Christopher Hockey

Senior Research Fellow

RUSI Nairobi

Michael Jones

Research Fellow

Terrorism and Conflict

Timothy Kimaiyo

Project Assistant

RUSI Nairobi

Dr Neil Melvin

Director, International Security

International Security

Simon Rynn

Senior Research Fellow, African Security

International Security

Dr Jessica White

Acting Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies

Terrorism and Conflict

Mark Williams

Programme Manager | SHOC Network Member - Researcher

Organised Crime and Policing

Rose Chelangat

Violence Monitoring Consultant

Fellows

Matt Freear

Associate Fellow

Professor Stig Jarle Hansen

Senior Associate Fellow - Expert in Islamism in the Horn of Africa and the Al-Shabaab group

Ahmed Hassen

Associate Fellow - Specialist in security of East Africa and the Horn

Ewan Lawson

Associate Fellow

Luniya Msuku

Associate Fellow

Dr Michael Nwankpa

Associate Fellow; Founding Director/Director of Research at the Centre for African Conflict and Development, London

Dr Andrew E. Yaw Tchie

Associate Fellow; Senior Research Fellow at the Training for Peace Programme

Martine Zeuthen

Associate Fellow - Quality Assurance

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