The disintegration of the M23 rebel group could destabilize the region but ultimately benefit Kinshasa.

A number of al Shabaab fighters have headed north to mountainous redoubts in the autonomous Somali territory of Puntland.

Maputo will need to accommodate the opposition to develop new natural resources and infrastructure.

Solar storms can disrupt electrical and communications equipment on Earth.

Continued incidents could harm foreign interests in Nigeria and surrounding countries and strengthen militant jihadism throughout the region.

Stratfor's Vice President of Africa Analysis Mark Schroeder discusses the links between al Qaeda and the jihadist groups operating in north and west Africa, threats to Nigeria and the French intervention in Mali.

Continued territorial disputes are preventing Juba and Khartoum from finalizing an oil and security agreement.

Methane hydrates offer a potentially abundant source of natural gas widely distributed across the globe.

Libya's ongoing political evolution represents a logical return to a system prioritizing local identities and politics over the dictates of a distant government in Tripoli.

The French intervention has allowed other African countries to begin deploying to Mali.