PSC Report

The October 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on peace and security issues across Africa, focusing on the volatile situation in Darfur, the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria, and political instability and terrorism threats in Niger. It also details the upcoming African Union Commission elections and regional counter-terrorism efforts.

• The security situation in Darfur remains volatile despite the signing of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur on 14 July 2011. The agreement is not all-inclusive, as major rebel groups including the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the Sudan Liberation Army-MinniMinawi (SLA-MM), and the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW) did not sign it.
• Humanitarian conditions in Darfur are deteriorating due to continued violence, including air strikes by the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) targeting civilian areas and the use of government-supported militias to expel Zaghawa ethnic groups. UNAMID reported that between 60,000 and 70,000 people were displaced from the start of 2011.
• The African Union (AU) and the UN Security Council (UNSC) differ on the launch of the Darfur Peace Process (DPP). While the AU views the DPP as a way to mobilize support and establish national ownership, the UNSC maintains that an 'enabling environment' is not yet in place, citing fears that participants would face retribution.
• Boko Haram has evolved from a domestic threat in Northern Nigeria to an international terrorist group, evidenced by a suicide attack on the United Nations office in Abuja on 26 August 2011, which killed 23 people. The group has established operational links with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and has sent operatives for training to Somalia, Mauritania, and Yemen.
• Nigeria faces a risk of civil war pitting Muslims against Christians due to Boko Haram's targeting of the predominantly Christian Igbos and the politicization of the conflict along north-south lines following the election of President Goodluck Jonathan.
• Niger's democratic stability is fragile, as evidenced by a foiled coup attempt in July 2011 aimed at assassinating President Mahamadou Issoufou. The attempt is linked to government crackdowns on the misuse of public funds and corruption.
• Niger is facing significant security threats from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in its northern region, exacerbated by the spill-over of uncontrolled weapons and mercenaries from the conflict in Libya.
• Niger has provided humanitarian sanctuary to 32 members of Muammar Gaddafi's inner circle, including his son Saadi, who arrived in September 2011. This has caused international tension, with the US seeking assurances that Saadi Gaddafi will not travel in accordance with UN sanctions.
• The African Union Commission elections scheduled for January 2012 will select a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and eight Commissioners. Each of Africa's five regions is entitled to two positions, and at least one Commissioner from each region must be a woman.

APA

Kent-Brown, D., Dersso, S. A., Lulie, H., Aynete, A., & Ewi, M. A. (2011). PSC Report. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC27_Oct_2011.pdf

Chicago

Kent-Brown, Duke, Solomon Ayele Dersso, Hallelujah Lulie, Abebe Aynete, and Martin A. Ewi. PSC Report. Institute for Security Studies, 2011. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC27_Oct_2011.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kent-Brown |first1=Duke |last2=Dersso |first2=Solomon Ayele |last3=Lulie |first3=Hallelujah |last4=Aynete |first4=Abebe |last5=Ewi |first5=Martin A. |title=PSC Report |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=October 2011 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC27_Oct_2011.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kentbrown2011psc, author = {Kent-Brown, Duke and Dersso, Solomon Ayele and Lulie, Hallelujah and Aynete, Abebe and Ewi, Martin A.}, title = {{PSC Report}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2011}, month = oct, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PSC27_Oct_2011.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }