Emilia Columbo is a senior associate (non-resident) to the CSIS Africa Program and a senior security risk analyst at VoxCroft Analytics. Prior to this position, she served as a senior analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, covering African and Latin American political-security issues. Ms. Columbo speaks professional-level Spanish and Portuguese. She has a Master's of Science in Foreign Service degree from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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Enhancing Humanitarian Aid and Security in Northern Mozambique

Following a year of regional security force engagement, violence and mass displacement are again on the rise in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, generating unprecedented security and humanitarian needs requiring an immediate and sustained response.

Commentary by Sierra Ballard and Emilia Columbo — September 8, 2022

Photo: JOHN WESSELS/AFP/Getty Images

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022

The CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories and trends in the region for 2022.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , William Mark Bellamy , Hannah Ryder , Laird Treiber , Emilia Columbo , Will Brown , Rafiq Raji , Ryan Cummings , Maria E. Burnett , and Marielle Harris — January 20, 2022

Photo: JOHN WESSELS/AFP via Getty Images

Centering Civilian Protection in Northern Mozambique

Northern Mozambique’s humanitarian crisis continues to rapidly deteriorate. As foreign deployments commence, it is imperative that their mandates consider the fragile humanitarian situation on the ground and prioritize civilian protection.

Commentary by Emilia Columbo and Kelly Moss — July 21, 2021

Photo: ALFREDO ZUNIGA/AFP/Getty Images

Mozambique: The Problem with Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) Designations

The U.S. State Department recently applied a Foreign Terrorist Organization designation to a Mozambican extremist group. CSIS experts warn that the designation will hamper humanitarian efforts, complicate counterinsurgency strategies, and impede future DDR activities.

Critical Questions by Emilia Columbo , Jacob Kurtzer , and Judd Devermont — March 12, 2021

Photo: ALFREDO ZUNIGA/AFP/Getty Images

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2021

From escalating conflicts in Ethiopia and Mozambique to a China-Africa relationship characterized by vaccine distribution and debt forgiveness, the CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories to watch in sub-Saharan Africa in 2021.

Commentary by Yemi Adamolekun , Lina Benabdallah , and Will Brown , Maria E. Burnett , Emilia Columbo , Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , Hilary Matfess , Rafiq Raji , Jon Temin , Laird Treiber , Judd Devermont , Marielle Harris , Kyle Murphy — January 12, 2021

Photo: SIPHIWE SIBEKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Secret to the Northern Mozambique Insurgency’s Success

How has the jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique managed to grow? Senior Associate Emilia Columbo outlines the group’s sturdy organizational structure, avoidance of strategic errors, and exploitation of government blunders.

Commentary by Emilia Columbo — November 2, 2020

Photo: EMIDIO JOSINE/AFP/Getty Images