Dear Africa Center alumni,
After a year-long assignment that took me back to the Pentagon with a global portfolio, I am so very pleased to rejoin the Africa Center and this vibrant alumni community. I am also deeply grateful to him for so competently leading the Africa Center as the acting director in my absence and delaying his retirement plans to do so. In June, we celebrated Dan’s second civilian retirement after a combined 30 years of military and civilian service, with the majority of that time focused on Africa.
The full height of summer has arrived here in Washington. We have just completed the 2025 version of the Emerging Security Sector Leaders (ESSL) seminar after two full weeks on campus following a virtual introductory week. Participants from 40+ countries and organizations brought their energy, creativity, and ideas, adding to the heat! More detailed reporting on the outcomes of ESSL will be enclosed in the next newsletter. In this one, I invite you to read the topic piece about conflict and peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the several articles about Africa Center programming from earlier this year, and the interviews with distinguished alumni as well as with our newly promoted Director of Engagement, Dr. Cat Kelly, who was previously serving as the Africa Center’s Associate Dean.
We continue to have a full schedule of virtual and in-person programs, as well as a robust pace of research publications focused on the security implications of current events in every region, as well as long-term trends such as urbanization. Upcoming engagements include programs in Nigeria (July), Tanzania (July), and Morocco (August) to conclude our academic year cycle. As usual, we will seek opportunities to meet with alumni during these travels and encourage you to visit us on the National Defense University campus if you have plans to visit Washington, DC.
Wishing you all the best in your professional and personal endeavors in the coming months.
Sincerely yours,
Amanda