Since the end of the Cold War, Africa has witnessed fierce competition from international and regional powers, as well as important internal developments, starting with the collapse of the state in Somalia and the subsequent failed United States military intervention, followed by the transformation of the pattern of conflicts from wars between states to ethnic conflicts. Africa was also fortunate enough to have a wave of democratic transition before some of its countries retreated into military coups once again. African conflicts often reflect patterns that cannot be reduced to infighting, with a diversity of actors that include states, mercenaries, and military companies, as well as local armies, militias, and paramilitary organizations. These developments result in overlapping interests among the actors and a more complex conflict resolution process.

Due to the continent’s growing importance, its dynamic interactions, and its vital relationships with Arab countries – both within and beyond North Africa – and given the noticeable lack of scholarly attention to Africa in the Arab world despite its rising prominence globally, the journal Siyasat Arabiya, published by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, is pleased to invite scholars in relevant fields to submit research proposals for a special issue entitled “Politics in Africa: The State, Ethnicity, and the Regional and International Order.” The aim of the issue is to present in-depth research approaches to political matters on the African continent, under five major themes: the dynamics of African politics; security issues; democratic backsliding; international relations and foreign policy; and political economy. Africa constitutes an important natural extension of the Arab world, given the vast presence of Arabs in the north that overlaps heavily with the Sahel and the Horn of Africa culturally, economically, demographically, and security-wise.

The issue is to be edited by Hassan El Haj Ali, a professor of political science and researcher at the Centre for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (part of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies), and a member of the editorial board of Arab Politics. We will publish papers accepted for more than one special issue in 2026 or 2027. The journal welcomes contributions in these areas, including papers addressing theoretical or applied dimensions, or case studies.

Participation Regulations and Timelines

• The journal will accept research proposals of approximately 250 words by Saturday, 31 May 2025, and is committed to responding to authors with an acceptance or rejection, by Thursday, 3 July 2025.
• Authors of accepted proposals have until Saturday, 10 January 2026, to submit final versions of their papers, which should adhere to the formal and substantive research specifications of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. All submitted studies are subject to peer review, and approval of the research proposal does not automatically imply acceptance for publication, as the peer review may not approve the entire research paper on completion.
• After the paper is accepted, the researcher will be informed as to whether it will be included in a specific file or special issue, or published as a separate article.
• Research proposals should be submitted via the Researchers’ System. For any additional inquiries, please contact the journal’s email address: arabia@dohainstitute.edu.qa.

Please see the attached background paper on this special issue.