Content Marketing Trends 2024: What to Watch

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This week,we flag rising tensions in Ethiopia's Amhara region, where a resurgence of armed resistance threatens to destabilise the country further.
After months of relative calm, clashes erupted on 22 July between the Ethiopian federal government and the Fano militia in the Amhara region.
The M23 rebel group continues to make gains in North Kivu province, bringing it closer to the strategic city of goma.

Original source: crisisgroup.org

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/ Global
16 January 2026
3 minutes

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Overview

Key Developments

Ethiopia

Democratic Republic of Congo

This week,we flag rising tensions in Ethiopia‘s Amhara region, where a resurgence of armed resistance threatens to destabilise the country further. We also look at the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),where the M23 rebel group continues to advance,and the potential for renewed conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijan consolidates its control.

Key Developments

Ethiopia

Fighting flares in Amhara region. After months of relative calm, clashes erupted on 22 July between the Ethiopian federal government and the Fano militia in the Amhara region. The fighting followed the government’s 9 August decision to dismantle regional special forces,a move seen by Amhara elites as an attempt to weaken the region. The Fano, a largely Amhara youth group, has been a key ally of federal forces during the Tigray war, but now poses a significant challenge to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government. the conflict risks further fragmenting Ethiopia and could draw in other regional actors.

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Democratic Republic of Congo

M23 advances threaten Goma. The M23 rebel group continues to make gains in North Kivu province, bringing it closer to the strategic city of goma. The group’s offensive has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe. Despite the deployment of a regional peacekeeping force, the M23 remains a formidable threat, and the congolese government appears unable to contain it. The conflict risks further destabilising the region and exacerbating existing

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Provisional results show that President Faustin-Archange touadéra has secured a third term after general elections on 28 December. Two challengers – Anicet-Georges Dologuélé and Henri-Marie Dondra – have called for annulling the vote, alleging fraud, while the main opposition coalition boycotted the ballot, citing an uneven playing field.The disputed poll coincided with renewed violence in the south east. Fighters linked to the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé (AAKG) – a Zandé self-defense militia – disrupted voting in Bambouti. Clashes then spread, including AAKG attacks on government forces around Zémio in early January. The AAKG was initially aligned with Bangui but later broke with the government after its rapprochement with a Fulani-led armed group that the militia accuses of encroaching on Zandé land. Crisis Group expert Fulbert Ngodji says the AAKG may be digging in to battle the state. Stability during Touadéra’s new term will hinge on promoting intercommunal dialog in the south east, better integrating militias under army command, and reducing regional isolation through progress and security reform.

IRAN The falling value of Iran’s national currency sparked demonstrations that since late December have grown into nationwide anti-regime unrest. The government has altered its subsidy policies but done little to dampen wider grievances. At least three dozen people have been killed as state forces crack down on protests that show little sign of slowing down. Crisis Group expert Ali Vaez says the Islamic Republic faces a major dilemma: it is neither willing nor able to adopt reforms that could meet expectations for political,social and economic change and on notice from U.S. President Donald trump that outside intervention is possible if its repression intensifies.

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Content Marketing Trends 2024: What to Watch

Ethiopia

Democratic Republic of Congo

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