When one considers the ongoing conflicts in Africa, thoughts of war, unrest and political instability often come to mind. Despite numerous initiatives aimed at fostering peace, including the African Union’s (AU) 2020 theme “Silencing the Guns”, violence and instability persist in many regions. This theme, integral to the AU’s Agenda 2063, envisions a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa—a centenary since the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. Yet, the road to achieving this vision is riddled with obstacles as conflicts continue to emerge, simmer or recur across the continent.
In 2024, 35 non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) were listed in Sub-Saharan Africa. These included conflicts in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. An array of armed groups challenge government authority or fight each other.
Southern Africa: A Mixed Picture
In southern Africa, Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province has been a focal point of unrest. This northern region faced a localised Islamist insurgency, fuelled by external support from groups operating across the border in Tanzania. While Rwandan troops were deployed two years ago to quell the insurgency and establish a tenuous peace, deeper issues remain unresolved. Elections in Mozambique, though held regularly, often fail to address longstanding political contradictions, leading to sporadic violence. At present, post-election violence is serious.
In contrast, countries such as Botswana, Zambia and Namibia offer examples of successful democratic transitions. In these nations, peaceful elections have led to leadership changes, with opposition parties sometimes taking power. These successes illustrate the potential for democratic governance to mitigate conflict, provided there is a commitment to power-sharing and an acceptance of electoral defeat. Africa witnessed 22 elections in 2024.
However, southern Africa is not immune to broader continental challenges. Economic stagnation, inequality and governance issues persist, threatening the fragile stability achieved in some nations.

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