December 17, 2010 – January 14, 2011
The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi sparks protests that force President Ben Ali to flee, spreading into the Arab Spring.
Mass protests centred on Tahrir Square force President Hosni Mubarak to resign after nearly 30 years in power.
An uprising, backed by NATO military intervention, overthrows Muammar Gaddafi, who is killed in October 2011.
Protests against Bashar al-Assad's government are suppressed and escalate into a multi-sided civil war, causing a major refugee crisis.
The Islamic State group proclaims a 'caliphate' over territory seized in Iraq and Syria; it loses nearly all of it by 2017–2019.
A US-led coalition invades Iraq and topples Saddam Hussein, beginning a long period of occupation and conflict.
The African Union was formally launched in Durban, replacing the Organisation of African Unity.