https://www.cfr.org Content about Sub-Saharan Africa from the Council on Foreign Relations. en-us Sun, 14 Jun 2026 10:08:30 GMT https://www.cfr.org/articles/fifa-promised-a-world-cup-economic-boom-but-u-s-stands-may-be-emptier-than-usual https://www.cfr.org/articles/fifa-promised-a-world-cup-economic-boom-but-u-s-stands-may-be-emptier-than-usual Travel bans, visa denials, safety fears, and record-high ticket prices are suppressing World Cup attendance—and threatening both FIFA’s promised $40 billion windfall and a U.S. tourism industry that was already struggling before the opening whistle. Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/episode/americas-ebola-preparedness https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/episode/americas-ebola-preparedness We Discuss: Mentioned on the Episode: CDC Health Alert: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the DRC and Uganda, May 19, 2026 WHO Disease Outbreak News: Ebola caused by Bundibugyo Virus, DRC and Uganda, May 21, 2026 WHO Declaration of Public Health Emergency of International Concern, May 17, 2026 Bollyky et al., “Assessing COVID-19 pandemic policies and […] Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Podcast Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/nigerias-islamist-reckoning https://www.cfr.org/articles/nigerias-islamist-reckoning The most recent abductions and executions in southwestern Nigeria have brought home the religious character of the threat to peace and security in the country. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:20:43 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/episode/why-the-us-needs-an-africa-strategy https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/episode/why-the-us-needs-an-africa-strategy We Discuss: Mentioned on the Episode: Michelle Gavin, “The New African Power Map,” cfr.org Michelle Gavin, The Age of Change: How Urban Youth Are Transforming African Politics Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy. Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT Podcast Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-new-ebola-outbreak-spreads-through-conflict-and-a-weak-u-s-response https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-new-ebola-outbreak-spreads-through-conflict-and-a-weak-u-s-response The outbreak of a rare strain of Ebola that went undetected for several weeks in the Democratic Republic of Congo—and which has now spread to Uganda—is raising concerns about regional and global authorities’ ability to effectively respond. Fri, 22 May 2026 21:14:09 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/south-africa-and-the-limits-of-identity https://www.cfr.org/articles/south-africa-and-the-limits-of-identity The country’s elite is paying the price for championing dubious ideologies at the expense of basic economics. Mon, 18 May 2026 14:34:50 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/minerals-for-regime-security-in-the-drc https://www.cfr.org/articles/minerals-for-regime-security-in-the-drc Washington’s desire to extract mineral wealth has led it to full backing of Felix Tshisekedi, even as he angles for a third term. Thu, 14 May 2026 18:11:50 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-iran-wars-forgotten-front-global-food-insecurity-and-the-limits-of-u-s-aid https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-iran-wars-forgotten-front-global-food-insecurity-and-the-limits-of-u-s-aid The Trump administration’s Operation Epic Fury has fueled a global hunger crisis affecting millions of people. Meanwhile, the State Department is sitting on $5.4 billion in unspent humanitarian funds. The rainy day it was saving them for has arrived. Tue, 12 May 2026 14:44:00 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/whats-at-stake-in-mali-and-what-comes-next https://www.cfr.org/articles/whats-at-stake-in-mali-and-what-comes-next An unusual alliance between armed groups in Mali could embolden others in neighboring countries and put Russia’s foothold in the region at risk. Tue, 05 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/east-african-autocrats-blame-outsiders-for-popular-discontent https://www.cfr.org/articles/east-african-autocrats-blame-outsiders-for-popular-discontent In Tanzania and Uganda, legitimate concerns are cast as foreign intervention. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:13:21 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-political-education-of-peter-obi https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-political-education-of-peter-obi The former two-time governor may have drawn the right lessons from the 2023 election, but it is not entirely clear that he controls his destiny. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:01:20 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/two-gladiators-one-ambition https://www.cfr.org/articles/two-gladiators-one-ambition There is the opposition to President Bola Tinubu, and then there is Atiku Abubakar. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:22:54 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/event/delivering-at-the-frontlines-innovating-and-scaling-support-for-fragile-and-conflict-affected-states https://www.cfr.org/event/delivering-at-the-frontlines-innovating-and-scaling-support-for-fragile-and-conflict-affected-states At a time when the international community is facing record levels of crises and shrinking levels of support to address them, panelists examine how multilateral partnerships, innovative approaches, and strengthened financing can scale recovery and humanitarian efforts, enhance inclusion, and deliver durable outcomes for crisis-affected communities. O’NEIL: Great. Well, good afternoon. Welcome. I’m Shannon O’Neil. […] Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT Event Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-extent-sudans-humanitarian-crisis https://www.cfr.org/articles/what-extent-sudans-humanitarian-crisis Three years into the civil war in Sudan, about twelve million people have been forcibly displaced. Yet experts say the country’s devastating humanitarian crisis is still not getting the international attention it deserves. Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:02:13 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-failed-u-s-attempt-to-opt-out-of-democracy-talk https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-failed-u-s-attempt-to-opt-out-of-democracy-talk When Washington chooses not to comment on democracy, authoritarians and their backers fill in the silence. Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:59:03 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/south-africas-other-problem https://www.cfr.org/articles/south-africas-other-problem South Africa cannot hope to confront its xenophobia problem until it owns it. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:57:45 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/tinubus-northern-trap https://www.cfr.org/articles/tinubus-northern-trap As Tinubu pulls out all the stops to win reelection, the political terrain across Nigeria’s northern region looks increasingly treacherous. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:49:52 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/america-first-in-africa-is-still-undefined https://www.cfr.org/articles/america-first-in-africa-is-still-undefined Washington’s attempts at clarity raise more questions than answers. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:16:51 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/trump-iran-and-diego-garcia-inside-the-fight-over-a-remote-military-base https://www.cfr.org/articles/trump-iran-and-diego-garcia-inside-the-fight-over-a-remote-military-base The tiny, British-owned Chagos Archipelago has been home to a major U.S. military base for decades. A deal to return the islands to Mauritius has raised alarm in the White House, but experts say it isn’t the catastrophe the administration has made it out to be. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:09:26 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/africas-silence-on-the-iran-war-speaks-volumes https://www.cfr.org/articles/africas-silence-on-the-iran-war-speaks-volumes The conflict in Iran spells trouble for its longtime efforts to influence African countries, although opinions on Iranian engagements—economic, diplomatic, and cultural—already varied widely within the continent. Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:58:18 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-specter-of-genocide-returns-to-darfur https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-specter-of-genocide-returns-to-darfur As Sudan’s civil war approaches its fourth year, the atrocities that have amassed are showing clear signs of genocide. The city of El Fasher illustrates the horror unfolding. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:08:09 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-iran-wars-hidden-front-food-water-and-fertilizer https://www.cfr.org/articles/the-iran-wars-hidden-front-food-water-and-fertilizer While world energy markets are in upheaval over the halt in fossil fuel shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, there is also a brewing crisis over a sharp cutback in food supplies that normally transit the Gulf. Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/sudans-war-africas-complicity https://www.cfr.org/articles/sudans-war-africas-complicity Sudan’s horrific war is a toxin infecting its neighbors. Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:52:16 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-dubious-turn-in-the-sahel https://www.cfr.org/articles/a-dubious-turn-in-the-sahel Washington’s latest diplomatic overtures to the three junta-led Sahelian states send the wrong message about U.S. tolerance of bad behavior in the region. Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:34:46 GMT Article Council on Foreign Relations