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Dear Africa Center Alumni,
Happy New Year. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies concluded a busy, productive, and impactful 25th anniversary in 2024. Thank you to all our alumni for their continued support and contributions. There is no rest for the weary as we have already hit the ground running in 2025 and embark on our next 25 years! We look forward to reconnecting with you in the coming months during our engagements in Zambia (February), Madagascar (February), and Kenya (April).
In this edition of the newsletter, Dr. Catherine Kelly, the Africa Center’s Associate Dean, provides an update on our work in Forest Domain Awareness. Not only are forests the lifeblood of many African communities, but the forests of the Congo basin are frequently referred to as the “lungs of the planet.” Protecting these forests from the predation of illegal logging and transnational criminal networks is critical to security and stability. Raising awareness of this pressing issue and strengthening institutions to protect the forest domain is a shared responsibility. I am grateful to our alumni network for helping us advance the cause. In addition to reading the newsletter’s topic piece, alumni are welcome to review the takeaways and program details from two recent events: “Enhancing Forest Domain Awareness in Central Africa” and “Coordinating Security Sector Responses to Illegal Logging.”
Again, thank you 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