International Crisis Group

Cameroon's poorest region is experiencing recurrent inter-communal frictions over water reserves. To help resolve tensions between Choa Arab leaders and Musgum fisherfolk, international partners should help Cameroon strengthen its climate security. https://lnkd.in/d__AF-jW

L’Extrême-Nord du Cameroun, la région la plus pauvre du pays, connaît des tensions communautaires récurrentes portant sur les réserves en eau. Bien que les autorités nationales et locales tentent d’enrayer le conflit entre les éleveurs Arabes Choa et les pêcheurs Mousgoum – qui a déplacé des dizaines de milliers de personnes – ce dernier menace de s’étendre à d’autres groupes ethniques. 📌 Nouveau briefing: https://lnkd.in/g9QDYA2d

The people living in Cameroon’s poorest region suffer from recurrent eruptions of deadly violence over water reserves. The conflict pitting Choa Arab herders against Musgum fisherfolk in Cameroon’s Far North has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands more. It’s a striking illustration of how climate stress can heighten inter-communal frictions. Other factors, such as corruption, poor governance and food scarcity, compound the situation further. Foreign donors should support Cameroon’s efforts to strengthen resource governance as well as bolster plans to adapt to climate change and expand access to land and water. 📌 New briefing: https://lnkd.in/gQsE2UsU

🎙 We released quite a few podcast episodes this week covering many of the world’s pressing crises. Learn more and tune in through the links below: 🇺🇸 On Ripple Effect, Michael Hanna and Stephen Pomper discuss U.S. elections, polarisation, and political violence with Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: https://lnkd.in/eMtNWkSr 🇸🇩 On The Horn, Alan Boswell speaks with Tom Perriello, the U.S.’ recently appointed Special Envoy in Sudan about the situation there and the challenging task of bringing Hemedti and Burhan to the negotiating table: https://lnkd.in/eviKzx6Q 🇮🇷/ 🇮🇱 On Hold Your Fire! Richard Atwood is joined by Crisis Group experts Ali Vaez, Mairav Zonszein, Michael Hanna, Lahib Higel and Robert Blecher to discuss the exchange of fire between Iran and Israel, risks of a wider regional war and what the escalation means for the war in Gaza: https://lnkd.in/eGMtqtYQ 🇲🇩 On War & Peace, Olga Oliker and Elissa Jobson speak with Crisis Group experts Oleg Ignatov and Marta Mucznik about the calls for Russian help from Moldova’s breakaway Transnistria region and autonomous Gagauzia and Moldova’s own worries about Russia as it seeks EU membership: https://lnkd.in/eyTgQfZm 🇹🇩 Sur Afrique 360°, Enrica Picco et Rinaldo Depagne reçoivent Remadji Hoinathy, chercheur à l’ISS pour l’Afrique centrale et le bassin du lac Tchad, et Thierry Vircoulon, chercheur associé à l’IFRI, pour parler des prochaines élections présidentielles qui arrivent le 6 mai prochain au Tchad: https://lnkd.in/eSM9D2nF

The Philippine Maoists, one of Asia’s longest-running communist insurgencies, are on the defensive. The government is pushing for definitive victory through counter-insurgent operations and development initiatives. And while it has indisputably weakened the rebels, somewhere between 1,200 and 2,000 fighters remain under arms. https://lnkd.in/eeauKbzh

For more than two years, diplomats have tried and failed to make headway in high-level talks with the Taliban. The Taliban refuses to compromise on their hardline policies on women’s rights and their government’s lack of inclusivity in exchange for promises of better relations with foreign governments and global institutions. Yet, it is the Afghan people, particularly women, who bear the brunt of this deadlock, enduring one of the world’s worst economic and humanitarian crises due partly to Afghanistan’s isolation. Diplomats need to reconsider their approach to engaging with the Taliban. They should focus on specific concerns like security cooperation and economic stability independently from broader agendas aimed at promoting positive changes within the Taliban regime. The livelihoods of millions of people should not be indefinitely held hostage to efforts at political dialogue. 📌 New Commentary: https://lnkd.in/escywPHv

Yesterday, the US reinstated sanctions on Venezuela, as Maduro is working to tilt the July presidential election in his favour, violating the 2023 Barbados accord. The US opted for a measured approach instead of a full snapback of sanctions, aiming to maintain leverage over Maduro’s government to advocate against deteriorating electoral conditions. Much now depends on whether the Venezuelan opposition can unite behind one of its three registered candidates. If unpopular Maduro faces a strong candidate, the government will have to decide between the risk of losing office and even more sanctions if it clings to power. 📌 Read our recent commentary:  https://lnkd.in/eJMFHyJP

Israel and its allies fended off almost all the armed drones and missiles fired by Iran on 13 April. As Israel now weighs what to do, the rules of engagement between the two bitter adversaries are being rewritten in perilous ways. Still, further escalation is not inevitable. All sides are now in a position to step back from confrontation. They should do so. 📌 New Alert | The Israel-Iran Crisis: A Chance to Step Back from the Brink https://lnkd.in/ebkENMdK

"The park has become a sort of headquarters for the jihadist groups." Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim talks about the establishment of jihadist groups in Park W, a natural reserve and protected area on the border between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso. -------- "Le parc est devenu une sorte de quartier général des groupes jihadistes." Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim parle de l'implantation de groupes jihadistes dans le parc W, une réserve naturelle et zone protégée à la frontière entre le Niger, le Bénin et le Burkina Faso.

On April 13, Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria. For years, its approach toward Israel and the United States largely revolved around what Iranian officials describe as “strategic patience,” a long-term approach that entails reinforcing proxy groups without resorting to immediate, provocative retaliations. Recent actions highlight an apparent shift in Iranian thinking, explains Ali Vaez. Read his new op-ed on what this means for stability in the Middle East, published in Foreign Affairs Magazine: https://lnkd.in/eWvjNpRs