The Africa File by Critical Threats 1/4/2023

 Source: Critical Threats 

The Africa File is an analysis and assessment of the Salafi-jihadi movement in Africa and related security and political dynamics.     AFRICA FILE: ISLAMIC STATE AFFILIATE ATTEMPTS TO ASSASSINATE NIGERIAN PRESIDENT   January 4, 2023     Key Takeaway: The Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) likely attempted to assassinate the Nigerian president. The group claimed responsibility for a December 29 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in central Nigeria. This attack marks ISWAP’s first documented attempt to assassinate Nigeria’s head of state and its first VBIED detonation outside of northeastern Nigeria. These inflections continue an expansion of ISWAP activity in central Nigeria, including its first attacks in the Federal Capital Territory in 2022. ISWAP poses a growing threat to central Nigeria and the country’s capital, Abuja, and will likely continue to escalate operations in early 2023—which could include pursuing international targets in Abuja and attempting to destabilize the country as the February 2023 general elections approach.     READ THE LATEST EDITION HERE     RECOMMENDED READ   The Underestimated Insurgency, Continued: Salafi-Jihadi Capabilities and Opportunities in Africa | Emily Estelle Perez | December 12, 2022.   As always, we welcome your feedback. To keep up with our latest analysis, please follow us on Twitter @criticalthreats. The Critical Threats Project is an initiative of the American Enterprise Institute dedicated to tracking and analyzing key and emerging national security threats to the United States in order to inform the policy debate. View online | Ensure delivery | Subscribe Critical Threats Project American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research 1789 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036 202.862.5800 | www.criticalthreats.org | www.aei.org Donate to AEI in support of defending and promoting freedom, opportunity, and enterprise. Follow the Critical Threats Project: