The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reports that Africa is grappling with over 50 active armed conflicts, resulting in approximately 35 million displaced people, with Nigeria being one of the affected countries struggling to combat three of the active armed conflicts.
Nigeria is now trying to combat Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency, Banditry and Herders-farmer clashes.
GLOBAL TRACKER check shows that Africa is a host of significant portion of the world’s armed conflicts, with recent reports from late 2025 noting over 50 active conflicts and a 45% increase since 2020, accounting for roughly 40% of global clashes, leading to catastrophic humanitarian crises, including millions displaced due to resource competition, poor governance, climate change, and exploitation of youth, with major hotspots in the Sahel, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This newspaper findings revealed that the major hit countries include Nigeria (host of over 5 armed conflicts), Niger (host of two conflicts), Mali (two), DRC with Sudan, South Sudan and others trying to combat hostilities rocking their countries.
Patrick Youssef, the director general of the ICRC Africa also confirmed the figures in a video clip shared on the official X handle of the ICRC which was monitored by GLOBAL TRACKER.
“In Sudan my colleagues provide emergency care and help people reconnect with their missing relatives as they flee the area of active fighting” said Patrick Youssef.
“In South Sudan our surgical team treated over 1,000 weapons of wounded patients which is the highest number in Eight Years,” he said.
“Cross the Sahel and in Somalia, we supported communities struggling with conflicts, climate shocks and endless years of violence,” the director said in the clip.
“In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we recently facilitated the transportation of more than 1,000 disarmed soldiers, policemen and their families. And this is the very small example of works carried out by the ICRC, Red Cross and Red Crescent Partners,” he further said.
He re assured the commitment of the ICRC to continue supporting families, adding that in 2026 the group would redouble it life saving operations.