Defining a firm framework on internet access during conflicts should become an important agenda to finding answers to the challenges of peace and security in Africa. The region continues to face several armed conflicts and waves of military coups. If the African Union is to meet its aspiration to ‘Silence the Guns,’ then, citizens’ rights to internet during conflicts should …
Africa’s Cybersecurity Treaty Enters into Force
The Malabo Convention has now entered into force. But with ratifications from only 15 of 55 AU member states – and none yet from any of Africa’s power countries, such as Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco or Ethiopia – will the Convention be accorded the regional and international validation needed to become a viable instrument for regulating cybersecurity …
Cyber Issues to Watch in 2023
While key developments such as the conclusion of the Ad Hoc Committee on cybercrime are expected to take place in 2023, other trends are likely to emerge in the debates around cyber issues in the coming months. Four of our Directions Blog contributing editors explain which global and regional trends – namely in Africa, the Indo-Pacific, and Latin America – …
International Cooperation and Cybersecurity in Africa
International cooperation efforts have increasingly focused on cybersecurity in Africa. Despite the diversity of these initiatives, Africa has yet to prioritise cybersecurity. Without coordination and accountability, divergent cybersecurity visions and models may instead derail Africa’s cybersecurity development. Africa, cooperation and cybersecurity In March 2022, the First African Cybersecurity Summit was held in Lomé, Togo. A core purpose of the Summit …
Net Politics in Africa
African governments’ views on cybersecurity are not homogenous and actions that indicate ideals of “net nationalism” continue to emerge in parts of Africa. A politics of net nationalism utterly focused on individual governmental interests will imperil international cooperation, mutual legal assistance and the cross-border flow of information, and may derail international cybersecurity efforts, especially harmful to a region like Africa …
Partnering with Africa on Cyber Diplomacy
As the world moves from words to action on cyber diplomacy and the international community focuses on implementing a cyber stability framework, Africa is still several steps behind. But with its vibrant digital ecosystem and potential for growth, Africa is an important element in the global cyber diplomacy puzzle. Its unique context and needs have to be better addressed within the current processes.