Conflict Trends in Africa, 1989–2019

The paper analyzes conflict dynamics in Africa from 1989 to 2019, noting a record high of 25 state-based conflicts in 2019, many of which are low-intensity or involve the Islamic State. While Africa faces rising non-state conflicts and one-sided violence, it also leads other regions in the number of definitive ceasefires and peace agreements. The study further details the growth of UN peacekeeping operations in the region from 1994 to 2018, highlighting a significant increase in troop deployment peaking in 2010.

• Africa reached a record high of 25 state-based conflicts in 2019, including 11 civil wars and 14 internationalized civil wars, with 13 conflicts fought over territory.
• The Islamic State (IS) is active in Africa, with nine countries experiencing conflicts with the group within their territories in 2019: Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Nigeria, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali, Somalia, and Mozambique.
• Battle-related deaths in state-based conflicts in Africa increased from 6,799 in 2018 to 8,407 in 2019, marking the first increase since 2014, driven by escalations in Libya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Mozambique, and Niger.
• Africa has recorded the highest number of definitive ceasefires and peace agreements compared to other world regions, with 187 peace agreements between 1975 and 2018.
• Non-state conflicts in Africa are predominantly communal conflicts; while the total number of non-state conflicts decreased from 49 in 2018 to 42 in 2019, battle-related deaths fell to 2,791, the lowest since 2012.
• Africa accounts for the largest number of incidents of one-sided violence globally, and it is the only region showing an increase in non-state groups employing such violence.
• UN peacekeeping operations in Africa saw a steady increase in both the number of missions and troop sizes from 2002, with troop numbers peaking in 2010 at nearly 80,000 personnel across eight missions.
• Conflict in Africa is often geographically concentrated in hotspots, such as the Lake Chad region and eastern DR Congo, as well as newer hotspots like the Ambazonia region in Cameroon and the border between Mali and Burkina Faso.

APA

Rustad, S. A., Palik, J., & Methi, F. (n.d.). Conflict Trends in Africa, 1989–2019. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/dc465d80-400e-4056-8350-2f27e19d5031/Palik Rustad Methi - Conflict Trends in Africa 1989-2019 PRIO Paper 2020.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Rustad, Siri Aas, Júlia Palik, and Fredrik Methi. Conflict Trends in Africa, 1989–2019. Peace Research Institute Oslo, n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/dc465d80-400e-4056-8350-2f27e19d5031/Palik Rustad Methi - Conflict Trends in Africa 1989-2019 PRIO Paper 2020.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rustad |first1=Siri Aas |last2=Palik |first2=Júlia |last3=Methi |first3=Fredrik |title=Conflict Trends in Africa, 1989–2019 |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/dc465d80-400e-4056-8350-2f27e19d5031/Palik Rustad Methi - Conflict Trends in Africa 1989-2019 PRIO Paper 2020.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rustadndconflict, author = {Rustad, Siri Aas and Palik, Júlia and Methi, Fredrik}, title = {{Conflict Trends in Africa, 1989–2019}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/dc465d80-400e-4056-8350-2f27e19d5031/Palik Rustad Methi - Conflict Trends in Africa 1989-2019 PRIO Paper 2020.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }