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Dear Africa Center Alumni,
Allow me to begin this newsletter by sharing the news that Director Amanda Dory was recently appointed by our Secretary of Defense to serve as the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy within our Department of Defense. This is a real honor for Ms. Dory and reflects strongly on her recognized expertise, experience, and professional competency to be selected to serve in this prestigious position. With her departure, I have stepped into the position of Acting Director of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Many of you may know me as I have been with the Africa Center for a number of years, first as a faculty member and then as the Deputy Director. I look forward to working and interacting with you all as we continue to advance together the vision of the Africa Center –security for all Africans championed by effective institutions accountable to their citizens.
It is with a sad heart that we note the passing of one of our alumni brothers, General Francis Omondi Ogolla. General Ogolla was Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces and upheld the epitome of military professionalism. Our condolences go out to his family and the nation of Kenya during this time of tragic loss.
One of the focus areas of Africa Center activities is advancing military professionalism. In fact, it is the theme of this newsletter. An increase in recent years of military-led unconstitutional changes of government in several African nations highlights the increased importance of creating and strengthening the apolitical nature of militaries as a core value within the profession. In August of this year, the Africa Center will help organize a meeting of Professional Military Education institution commandants, hosted by the National Defence University-Kenya, to address this important issue.
We continue to recognize our 25-year anniversary of the Africa Center, and one of the highlights of the year will be an Anniversary Reception held on the campus of National Defense University here in Washington, DC on June 18th. The reception will be held in conjunction with our annual Emerging Security Sector Leaders seminar. This will be a special event that will involve senior leaders from across the U.S. government and the Washington, DC diplomatic community. If any of you plan to be in Washington during that time, you are invited to attend. We look forward to sharing photos of the event in our next newsletter.
Let me close this introduction by recognizing the recent accomplishments of three distinguished Africa Center alumni. Brigadier General (retired) Geraldine George was appointed as the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Liberia. Brigadier General (Retired) George becomes Liberia’s first-ever female Defense Minister. Also, let us congratulate General Birame Diop who was recently appointed as Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces by newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and General Jean Baptiste Tine whom President Faye appointed as Senegal’s Minister of the Interior and Public Security. Congratulations to each of you as you continue to bring honor on our Africa Center family.
Thank you once again for all you do as alumni to advance our shared values across the continent. The alumni network is truly the strength of the Africa Center and I am honored to serve you as the Acting Director.
Respectfully yours,
Colonel (retired) Daniel L. Hampton
Acting Director