Seminar
June 3–5, 2025 (Virtual)
June 16–27, 2025 (In-Person)
Washington, DC
Session 1
Conflict Trends Security & Mega Trends
Presented by:
- Dr. Clionadh Raleigh
- Mr. Mvemba Dizolele
Reading:
- Raymond Gilpin. “Unpacking the Implications of Future Trends for Security in Africa.” Brookings, 2020.
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies. “Africa’s 2024 Security Trends in 10 Graphics.” Infographic. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies.17 December 2024.
- Matthias Basedau, Charlotte Heyl, and Eckart Woertz. “Population Growth and Security in Africa: Myth or Underestimated Risk?” German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Hamburg. 14 January 2021.
- Kristian Hoelscher, Nick Dorward, Sean Fox, Taibat Lawanson, Jeffrey Paller and Melanie Phillips. 2023. “Urbanization and Political Change in Africa.” African Affairs, 122 (488): 353–376.
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies. 2021. “How Global Warming Threatens Human Security in Africa”. Infographic. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
- Velomahanina Razakamaharavo. 2021. “Implications of Emerging Technologies on Peace and Security in Africa”. Conflict and Resilience Monitor 2021/2. Accord.
- Guy Lamb. 2023. “Revisiting Human Security in Africa in the Post-Covid-19 Era”. Policy Paper No. 86. Afrobarometer. February 2023
- Laura Kokko, « L’Afrique de l’avenir : les tendances clés d’ici à 2025, » dans L’Afrique : un continent sur la voie de l’intégration. Centre Universitaire Francophone, p. 173-193, 2018.
Session 2
Violent Extremism Dynamics
Presented by:
- Dr. Daisy Muibu
- Dr. Anouar Boukhars
Reading:
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies. “Militant Islamist Groups in Africa Sustain High Pace of Lethality.” Infographic. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies. 18 February 2025.
- Anouar Boukhars. “Thwarting Nascent Insurgencies in Coastal West Africa.” Sahel and West Africa Club (OECD/SWAC) West African Papers no. 44. October 2024.
- Daniel Eizenga and Amandine Gnanguênon. “Recalibrating Coastal West Africa’s Response to Violent Extremism.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Africa Security Brief no. 43. 22 July 2024.
English | Français | Português - Wendy Williams, “Reclaiming Al Shabaab’s Revenue.” Spotlight. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies. 27 March 2023.
English | Français - Daisy Muibu. “Somalia’s Offensive Against al-Shabaab: Taking Stock of Obstacles.” Combating Terrorism Center Sentinel. February 2024.
- Daisy Muibu. “Islamic State in Somalia: A Global Threat and Efforts to Counter the Militants,” Policy Brief Orion Policy Institute 6 March 2025.
- Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement. UNDP. February 2023.
- Anouar Boukhars, “Trajectories of Violence Against Civilians by Africa’s Militant Islamist Groups.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2022.
English | Français | Português - Gregory Pirio, Robert Pittelli, and Yussuf Adam, “The Many Drivers Enabling Violent Extremism in Northern Mozambique.” Spotlight. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies. 2019.
English | Français | Português
Session 3
Transnational Organized Crime Dynamics
Presented by:
- Mr. Martin Ewi
- Dr. Catherine Kelly
Reading:
- Catherine Kelly, Trends in Transnational Organized Crime in Africa and Innovations in Coordinated Responses, Africa Amani Journal, 2025 136-152.
- “Introduction,” Africa Organized Crime Index 2023 – Increasing Criminality, Growing Vulnerabilities, ENACT, pp. 4–14.
- English (To find the report on your country, visit: Data Analysis Portal for Organised Crime Index Africa 2023)
- Français (Pour trouver le rapport sur votre pays, visitez : Portail d’analyse des données de l’Indice du crime organisé en Afrique 2023)
- Português (Para encontrar o relatório relativo ao seu país, visite : Portal de análise de dados)
- Catherine Lena Kelly, “An Introduction to Coordination of Security and Justice Responses to Countering Transnational Organized Crime,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
English | Français | Português - Lusaka Agreement Task Force, “Cross-Border Cooperation and Coordination to Combat Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Case Study of the Lusaka Agreement Task Force (LATF),” 2022.
- “Déclaration de Kinshasa sur le renforcement de la coopération judiciaire dans la région des Grands Lacs,” Réunion des Ministres de la Justice des Etats Membres de la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs, 16 juin 2022.
Session 4
Maritime Security Threats
Presented by:
- Dr. Ife Okafor-Yarwood
- Dr. Christian Bueger
Reading:
- Christian Bueger, Timothy Edmunds and Jan Stockbruegger. “Securing the Seas: A Comprehensive Assessment of Global Maritime Security.” (Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2024).
- Ian Ralby, “Trends in African Maritime Security.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2019.
English | Français - United Nations, “Africa’s Blue Economy: A Policy Handbook.” 2016.
English | Français - Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, Oliver Eastwood, Noleen Chikowore, and Lucas de Oliveira Paes, “Technology and maritime security in Africa: Opportunities and challenges in the Gulf of Guinea.” Marine Policy vol. 160 (2024).
- Lucas De Oliveira Paes and Ifesenachi Okafor-Yarwood, “Techno-optimism versus techno-reality: an analysis of internationally funded technological solutions against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau.” Environmental Politics (2024),
- Ifesenachi Okafor-Yarwood, “Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and the complexities of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for countries in the Gulf of Guinea.” Marine Policy, vol. 99 (January), p. 414-422, 2019.
- Pieter Brits and Michelle Nel, “African maritime security and the Lomé Charter: Reality or dream?” African Security Review 27 (3-4): p. 226-244, 2018.
- Thierry Vircoulon & Violette Tournier, « Sécurité dans le golfe de Guinée : un combat régional, » Politique Etrangère 3, 2015.
- Darshana M. Baruah, Nitya Labh, and Jessica Greely, “Mapping the Indian Ocean Region,” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 15, 2023.
- Christian Bueger, “Who Secures the Western Indian Ocean? The Need for Strategic Dialogue,” Center for Maritime Strategy, September 19, 2024.
- Carina Bruewer, “Africa’s ocean of organised crime,” Institute for Security Studies, October 09, 2023.
Session 5
Cyber and Emerging Technology Threats
Presented by:
- Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo
- Dr. Nate Allen
Reading:
- Nate D.F. Allen, “Military Drone Proliferation Marks Destabilizing Shift in Africa’s Armed Conflicts.” Spotlight. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2025.
English | Français - Nate D.F. Allen, “Africa’s Evolving Cyber Threats.” Spotlight, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2021.
English | Français - Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Topic in Focus: Foreign Information Manipulation.” Spotlight, Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2025.
English | Français - Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Artificial Intelligence and Africa’s Security Landscape.” Webinar. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2023.
English | Français | Português - INTERPOL, “African Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2021.” INTERPOL 2021.
English | Français
Session 6
Strategic Leadership in Africa’s Security Sector
Presented by:
- HE Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu
- Brigadier General Phillip Nyamali
Reading:
- Ben Ramalingam et al, “Five Principles to Guide Adaptive Leadership.” Harvard Business Review, 2020.
- Regina Eckert and Simon Rweyongoze, “Leadership Development in Africa: A Focus on Strengths.” Center for Creative Leadership, 2015.
- Kwesi Aning and Joseph Siegle, “Deep Commitment, High Expectations: The Values of the Next Generation of African Security Sector Leaders.” Africa Defense Forum, 2018.
English | Français - Sam Adeyemi, “Africa does not Need Charity, it Needs Good Leadership,” World Economic Forum on Africa, 2017.
Session 7
Rule of Law and Security Governance: Importance to Civil-Military Relations
Presented by:
- Dr. Emile Ouedraogo
- Dr. Martha Mutisi
Reading:
- “Letting Citizens, Constitution Lead the Way: Civilian Control of the Armed Forces Remains a Durable Model Despite Coups, Setbacks,” Africa Defense Forum, 1 January 2024.
English | Français | Português - Christopher Day, Moses Khisa, and William Reno, “Rethinking the Civil-Military Conundrum in Africa.” Civil Wars Vol 22(2-3) pp. 156-173, 2020.
- Catherine Lena Kelly, “Justice and Rule of Law Key to African Security.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2021.
English | Français - “Security Sector Governance: Applying Principles of Good Governance to the Security Sector.” Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, 2015.
English | Français
Session 8
Critical Thinking to Enhance Professionalism in Africa’s Security Sector
Presented by:
- Dr. Alex Marino
- Brigadier General Joyce Sitienei
Reading:
- Emile Ouedraogo, “Advancing Military Professionalism in Africa.” Research Paper No. 6, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, p. 1-3, 2014.
English | Français | Português - Kwesi Aning and Joseph Siegle, “Assessing Attitudes of the Next Generation of African Security Sector Professionals.” Research Paper No. 7, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, p. 1-2, 2019.
English | Français | Português - David Novy, “Professionalism in the Armed Forces.” Research Report, Air War College, p. iv, 2017.
Session 9
National Security Strategy Development and Implementation
Presented by:
- Dr. Joel Amegboh
- Dr. Luka Biong Deng Kuol
Reading:
- Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “National Security Strategy Development in Africa: Toolkit for Drafting and Consultation.”
English | Français | Português - Luka Kuol and Joel Amegboh, “Rethinking National Security Strategies in Africa.” Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy, Vol. 9 (1): 1-17, 2021.
- African Union, “The Solemn Declaration on Common African Defense and Security Policy.” 2004.
English | Français - Africa Union, “Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform.” 2014.
English | Français | Português
Session 10
Managing Security Resources in Africa
Presented by:
- Brigadier General James Mwalongo
- Dr. Nan Tian
Reading:
- Bernard Harborne, William Dorotinsky and Paul Bisca (Eds.), “Securing Development: Public Finance and the Security Sector.” The World Bank, p. 7-14, 25-47, 2017.
English | Français - Luka Kuol and Joel Amegboh, “Rethinking National Security Strategies in Africa”. Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy, Vol 9(1): 1-17, 2021.
- Chimere Iheonu, Kingsley Odo and Davidmac Ekeocha, “Estimating the effect of democracy, governance and militarization on peace in Africa.” Research Africa Network, WP/20/046, 2020.
- Maurice Ogbonnaya, “Has counter-terrorism become a profitable business in Nigeria?” Institute for Security Studies (ISS), 2020.
English | Français
Session 11
Regional and International Responses to Security Challenges
Presented by:
- Dr. Bitania Tadesse
- Brigadier General (ret) Elijah Mwanyika
Reading:
- Nate D. F. Allen and Nicole Mazurova. “African Union and United Nations Partnership Key to the Future of Peace Operations in Africa,” Spotlight. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies. April 30, 2024.
English | Français - “Eight Priorities for the African Union in 2025,” International Crisis Group Briefing no. 205 (2025).
- “The Future of Peacekeeping, New Models, and Related Capabilities,” United Nations Peacekeeping, November 01, 2024.
- Sanae Suzuki, “Exploring the roles of the AU and ECOWAS in West African Conflicts.” South African Journal of International Affairs 27:2, 173-191, 2020.
- Bitania Tadesse, “The Role of African Multilateralism in the New Agenda for Peace,” International Peace Institute Global Observatory, September 2023.
- Mark Whitlock and Robert Muggah, “Reflections on the evolution of conflict early warning.” International Journal of Security and Development, 10 (1), 2022.
- L’Organisation pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture (FAO), « Les mécanismes communautaires de réduction des risques de catastrophes pour des moyens d’existence résilients au Sahel. » 2017.
- West African Network for Peacebuilding, “Annual Report 2021: Adapting Resilient Approaches and Synergies to Peacebuilding in the ‘New Normal’.” 2021.
English | Français
Session 12
Leveraging Donor Assistance
Reading:
- Lina Benabdallah, “China-Africa military ties have deepened. Here are 4 things to know,” The Washington Post Monkey Cage blog, July 6, 2018.
- Moderan, O. (2015). “Political Leadership and National Ownership of Security Sector Reform Processes.” Toolkit for Security Sector Reform and Governance in West Africa, 3.
- Paul Nantulya, “Solidarity in Peace and Security: The Nordic-African Partnership,” Spotlight, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, November 29, 2017.
- Paul Nantulya, “The Tokyo International Conference on African Development—Fostering Stability through Peace and Security,” Spotlight, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, August 22, 2022.
- Paul Nantulya, “Africa-India Cooperation Sets Benchmark for Partnership,” Spotlight, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, December 12, 2023.
- Watts, Steve. “Identifying and Mitigating Risks in Security Sector Assistance for Africa’s Fragile States”. Rand Corporation 2015.
Session 13
United States Government: Security Assistance and Partnership in Africa
Reading:
- General Thomas Waldhauser, “United States Africa Command 2022 Posture Statement.” 2022.
- U.S. Department of State Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, “United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability.” 2022.
- Aline LeBoeuf, “La compétition stratégique en Afrique. Approches militaires américaine, chinois, et russe.” Focus stratégique 91, Institut Français des Relations Internationales, p. 17-18, 33-43 et l’annexe, 2019.