Africa was reported to have seen a significant advancement in democracy and good governance as demonstrated by the increasing number of credible elections. However, there has also been a significant threat to stability with the rise of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Boko Haram and the Lord's Resistance Army. Peace and security challenges have remained prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, Mali and Ivory Coast. Unconstitutional change of governments and armed secessionist groups continued to be a threat in countries such as Mali and Nigeria respectively.