The Africa Center for Strategic Studies will conduct a two-day virtual touchpoint for alumni chapter leaders and U.S. embassy personnel responsible for security cooperation programs. The aim of this forum is to impart practical skills and encourage relationships among chapters, between chapters and U.S. embassies, and between all parties and the Africa Center.
Program Objectives:
- Provide a platform for Chapters to discuss their role in improving civil-military relations in the face of emerging security threats.
- Provide organizational development support that will empower alumni chapter leaders to mature the alumni chapters (or create new chapters where none exist) and enable them to undertake chapter activities that positively contribute to peace, security, and stability in their countries and regions.
- Provide chapter leaders and U.S. embassy staff with an opportunity to network, develop bilateral and regional relationships, and share best practices.
Session 1
Chapters’ Role in Civil-Military Relations in the Face of Emerging Security Threats
The rise of military coups and unconstitutional seizures of power have led uniformed and civilian security practitioners to re-examine the state of security sector governance at home and across the continent, and to re-evaluate how they can address the most pressing national and regional security threats to further ensure that strategies, policies, and practices are people-centered and citizen-focused.
Productive, trusting relationships between military and civilian security sector leaders are critical to addressing multifaceted security challenges. They require transparency between parties and integrated methods and approaches to security provision and oversight. While military and civilian agencies often operate in separate domains with distinct operational priorities, cultures, and communication protocols, the potential benefits of coordination are significant. This includes streamlined efforts, faster decision-making, and the ability to capitalize on opportunities for synergy in addressing complex security challenges.
Citizens are also key stakeholders in security provision and governance. There can be no security without accountable institutions that maintain public trust within a framework of the constitution and rule of law. Fostering confidence in the state’s security institutions hinges upon both civilian and military officials building effective long-term relationships with citizens whom the government is meant to serve.
During this session, panelists and participants will discuss the concepts of civil-military relations and security sector governance and their importance for citizen-oriented security. Participants will also identify best practices for coordination between civilian and military leaders, and the roles alumni chapters can play in strengthening civil-military relations in their national contexts.
Panelists:
- Dr. Matt Houngnikpo
- Honorable Mphatso Jones Boti Phiri
Moderator:
- Dr. Catherine Lena Kelly
Recommended Readings:
- Dan Kuwali, “Oversight and Accountability to Improve Security Sector Governance in Africa,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, September 11, 2023.
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Reflections on 60 years of Strengthening Military Professionalism in Kenya,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, February 10, 2025.
Session 2
Executing a Program
Africa Center alumni have a long history of making innovative contributions to their countries’ defense and security sectors, including through programming and initiatives that they design and organize as community chapters. Just as no country’s security context is the same, there is no single blueprint for using alumni community chapters to catalyze strategic solutions to security challenges. Nonetheless, chapters’ experiences may provide insight into best practices for designing, planning, coordinating, and executing various forms of programming. This session will serve as a forum for discussion of recent initiatives that various chapters have pursued, as well as opportunities for future engagement and collaboration.