Center for Peace and Security Management

Malawi’s President Moves In to Stop To***co Smuggling
Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered police to tighten border security to control to***co smugglers who sell the crop to neighboring countries for better prices...To***co is the main cash crop and major foreign exchange earner in Malawi. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture show that the crop, also known in Malawi as "green gold," contributes about 60% to the country's foreign exchange basket. It also contributes about 13% to the country's gross domestic product. Recent reports, however, show that almost 10% of the crop is smuggled to neighboring countries like Zambia and Mozambique for better prices. VOA

World Paid Little Attention to Sudan’s War for a Year. Now Aid Groups Warn of Mass Death from Hunger
Sudan has been torn by war for a year now, ever since simmering tensions between its military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into street clashes in the capital Khartoum in mid-April 2023...[R]elief workers warn Sudan is hurtling towards an even larger-scale calamity of starvation, with potential mass death in coming months....But the international community has paid little attention. The U.N. humanitarian campaign needs some $2.7 billion this year to get food, heath care and other supplies to 24 million people in Sudan – nearly half its population of 51 million. So far, funders have given only $145 million, about 5%, according to the humanitarian office, known as OCHA...Food production has crashed, imports stalled, movement of food around the country is hampered by fighting, and staple food prices have soared by 45% in less than a year, OCHA says. The war wrecked the country’s healthcare system, leaving only 20 to 30% of the health facilities functional across the country, according to MSF. AP

Good News: Democracy Won in Senegal. Here’s Why It Matters.
Senegal’s election last week was a major win for democracy. It’s also an indication that a new political class is coming of age in Africa, exemplified by Senegal’s new 44-year-old president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye...The strength of Senegal’s democracy depends on several factors that go beyond any single politician, including relatively robust, independent democratic institutions like the courts and, perhaps surprisingly, the military...[T]hough Faye’s aims won’t be easy to achieve, his win can tell us not only about how Senegal managed to establish its young democracy, but also about the positive trend of democratic entrenchment and international cooperation in African nations, and the power of young Africans. Vox

Sierra Leone’s Capital Quiet after Attack on Barracks
The streets of Sierra Leone's capital Freetown were still mostly empty early on Monday despite the government lifting a curfew imposed because of an attack on a military barracks. The government said security forces had repelled "renegade soldiers" who attempted to break into a military armoury in Freetown during the early hours of Sunday. Unidentified assailants also attacked a police station and released inmates from a major prison on Sunday. Sierra Leone has been tense since President Julius Maada Bio was re-elected in June, a result rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the United States and the European Union. In an address to the nation on Sunday, Bio called on the West African country's political and traditional leaders, and civil society to work to preserve peace. He said most of the leaders of the attack on the barracks had been arrested and that an investigation was ongoing. A government statement encouraged people to return to their normal activities from 0600 GMT on Monday. Reuters

Madagascar: Rajoelina’s Re-election amid Opposition Boycotts and Skepticism
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina secured re-election in the initial round of a contested ballot, marked by opposition boycotts, as confirmed by the election commission on Saturday. An opposition candidate has appealed to the High Constitutional Court, to demand the annulment of the ballot...The turnout, at just over 46%, decreased from the 2018 election, attributed to a challenging political climate...Opponents accused Rajoelina of corruption and neglecting the country's resources. The joint opposition response to his victory was skepticism and a refusal to recognize the results. While the opposition highlighted irregularities, they have not yet indicated if they will formally contest the outcome or call for further demonstrations...Despite concerns raised by eight countries and organizations, including the EU and the US, about the use of force and irregularities, the national electoral commission insisted the election occurred under regular and transparent conditions. However, the impartiality of the commission's president, Arsene Dama, has been questioned by the opposition. Africanews with AFP