Africa Center for Strategic Studies

Beginning just days after the Obama Administration released the new U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) conducted its two-week Senior Leader Seminar from June 18-29, 2012. The flagship program provided a forum for approximately 70 senior-level military officers and civilian officials from Africa, the United States, and Europe, as well as representatives from international and regional organizations, to review and analyze the evolving African security environment and to discuss strategies for addressing challenges and enhancing Africa’s security.

Below are links to videos, articles, and plenary highlights from the public portion of the presentations conducted by senior U.S. and African leaders. Academic discussions at the Africa Center are conducted under a strict policy of non-attribution to allow free and open sharing of ideas. However, speakers agreed to allow portions of their presentations to appear on the record in order to promote broader awareness of the issues.

The Senior Leaders Seminar has taken place annually since the Africa Center was established in 1999. Featured speakers included: Amanda J. Dory, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs; Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs; Dr. Reuben Brigety II, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security Affairs; General Carter F. Ham, Commander of U.S. Africa Command; and the Honorable Brownie Samukai, Minister of Defense for Liberia.

Following are links to highlights of the 2012 Senior Leaders Seminar:

VIDEOS:

• Assistant Secretary Carson: Africa’s Development Is Top US Priority (June 18, 2012)
• Dep. Asst. SecDef Dory Outlines New U.S. Africa Policy at ACSS Senior Leaders Seminar (June 18, 2012)
• Dempsey Speaks at ACSS Senior Leaders Seminar on Security Sector Reform (June 22, 2012)
• State Dept.’s Brigety: U.S. Ready to Support Security Sector Reform in Africa (June 22, 2012)
• Dr. Kelly Speaks at ACSS Senior Leaders Seminar on Rule f Law (June 22, 2012)
• Lt. General Mwaniki Speaks on Professional Security Education in Africa (June 22, 2012)
• AFRICOM’s Ham at Africa Center Semina (June 25, 2012)
• Minnick Speaks on the ACSS Community and How to Stay in Touch
• Ambassador Bellamy Gives Closing Remarks for Senior Leaders Seminar (June 29, 2012)

PHOTOS:

• View Photos From the Event

ARTICLES:

PLENARY DISCUSSIONS:

• Arab Spring and Democratic Governance in Africa (June 19, 2012)
• The Link Between Security and Development (June 20, 2012)
• The State of Civil-Military Relations in Africa (June 21, 2012)
• Security Sector Reform (June 22, 2012)
• Professional Security Education (June 22, 2012)
• Conflict and Conflict Resolution (June 25, 2012)
• Security Resource Management in Africa (June 25, 2012)
• Illicit Trafficking in Africa (June 26, 2012)
• Countering Violent Extremism (June 26, 2012)
• Dr. Robert H. Dorff on Strategy and its Importance to National Security (June 26, 2012)
• African Maritime Interests (June 27, 2012)
• Disaster Response and Consequence Management (June 28, 2012)

NEWS COVERAGE OF THE SENIOR LEADERS SEMINAR:

• Strategy Guides Africa Engagement, Defense Official Says (American Forces Press Service – June 18, 2012)
• Pentagon aims to be proactive in countering terror threat in Africa (Washington Times – June 18, 2012)
• Africom Commander Details Current, Emerging Threats (American Forces Press Service – June 25, 2012)
• Militants pose new threat to Africa (Mail & Guardian – S.Africa – June 29, 2012)
• Africa: Transcript – Ham Discusses African Security Issues At ACSS Senior Leaders Seminar (AllAfrica.com – June 27, 2012)