African Conflict Analysts Network (ACAN)

ACAN Research

ACAN Research Groups

ACAN's research is organised around specialist research groups that investigate enduring questions in African conflict, peace and security. Each group develops research programmes and studies that evolve with emerging analytical priorities.

Research groups are enduring specialist areas that sit within CRCA's wider Research Themes. The studies beneath them are changeable: a study may conclude and be replaced by new research while the group itself continues. A group may contribute to one or several CRCA Research Themes, and further groups may be established as ACAN develops research capacity and leadership.

Research Group

Conflict Dynamics & Trajectories Research Group (CDTRG)

The Conflict Dynamics & Trajectories Research Group (CDTRG) examines how African conflicts evolve over time, including patterns of escalation, persistence, de-escalation, fragmentation, transformation and geographic diffusion. The group investigates the political, security, economic, environmental and cross-border factors that shape divergent conflict trajectories and influence whether conflicts escalate, persist, spread or move toward containment and transformation. Through comparative and evidence-based research, the group seeks to deepen understanding of how conflict dynamics change across different African contexts and what these patterns reveal about the possibilities for prevention and de-escalation.

Research Programme

Conflict Trajectories in Africa

Escalation, Containment and Transformation

The programme examines why apparently comparable African conflicts follow different trajectories, including escalation, persistence, fragmentation, geographic diffusion, de-escalation and transformation.

Status

Active Research Programme

Approach

Collaborative desktop research, comparative analysis and evidence synthesis

Research Outputs

ACAN research reports, analytical briefs and related research outputs

Related CRCA Research Themes

• Conflict Prevention & Climate Security
• Governance, Democracy & Political Violence
• Security & Extremism

Indicative relationships only; the Research Group is not restricted to these themes.

Research Group Lead: Dr. James Aderele

Research Group

Armed Actors & Conflict Systems Research Group (AACSRG)

The Armed Actors & Conflict Systems Research Group (AACSRG) examines the behaviour, relationships and changing configurations of armed actors and their influence on African conflict systems. The group studies how armed actors form, fragment, compete, cooperate and realign, including changes in alliances, rivalries, affiliations and external relationships. Its research explores how these changing patterns shape conflict persistence, transformation, territorial and political dynamics, and consequences for civilian populations across African conflict settings.

Research Programme

Armed Group Fragmentation, Alliances & Realignment

Understanding changing relationships among armed actors in African conflict systems

The programme examines how armed actors fragment, form and break alliances, compete, reorganise and realign within African conflict systems, and how these changing relationships shape conflict trajectories, conflict persistence and consequences for civilian populations.

Status

Active Research Programme

Approach

Collaborative desktop research, relational analysis and evidence synthesis

Research Outputs

ACAN research reports, analytical briefs and related research outputs

Related CRCA Research Themes

• Security & Extremism

An initial relationship only; the Research Group may contribute to additional CRCA Research Themes over time.

Research Group Lead: Testimony Omole