Seminar
June 3–5, 2025 (Virtual)
June 16–27, 2025 (In-Person)
Washington, DC
English | Français | Português
Session 1
Conflict Trends Security & Mega Trends
Presented by:
- Dr. Clionadh Raleigh [slides]
- Dr. Paul Williams
Reading:
- Raymond Gilpin. “Unpacking the Implications of Future Trends for Security in Africa.” Brookings, 2020.
- 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. 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.
- 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 [slides]
- Dr. Anouar Boukhars
Reading:
- Anouar Boukhars, “Trajectories of Violence Against Civilians by Africa’s Militant Islamist Groups.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2022.
English | Français | Português - Pauline Le Roux, « Répondre à l’essor de l’extrémisme violent au Sahel. » Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 2019.
English | Français | Português - James Khalil and Martine Zauthen. “The ‘Off-Ramp’ From al-Shabaab: Disengagement During the Ongoing Offensive in Somalia.” International Center for Counter-Terrorism. March 7, 2023.
- Journey to Extremism in Africa: Pathways to Recruitment and Disengagement. UNDP. February 2023.
Session 3
Transnational Organized Crime Dynamics
Presented by:
- Mr. Martin Ewi
- Dr. Catherine Kelly [slides]
Reading:
- “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.
- The Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2021). “Enhancing Security-Justice Coordination to Counter TOC, Western and Southern Africa program videos.”
English | Français | Português
Session 4
Maritime Security Threats
Presented by:
- Dr. Ife Okafor-Yarwood [slides]
- Dr. Assis Malaquias
Reading:
- 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 - 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.
Session 5
Cyber and Emerging Technology Threats
Presented by:
- Dr. Nathaniel Allen [slides]
- Dr. Nnenna Ifeanyi-Ajufo
Reading:
- Nate D.F. Allen, “Africa’s Evolving Cyber Threats.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2021.
English | Français - Africa Center for Strategic Studies, “Mapping Disinformation in Africa.” Spotlight, 2022.
English | Français | Português - Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola and Nate D.F. Allen, “African Lessons in Cyber Strategy.” Africa Center for Strategic Studies Spotlight, 2022.
English | Français - INTERPOL, “African Cyber Threat Assessment Report 2021.” INTERPOL 2021.
English | Français
Session 6
Strategic Leadership in Africa’s Security Sector
Presented by:
- Dr. Assis Malaquias
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. Catherine Kelly [slides]
- 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:
- Col (ret.) Dr. Emile Ouedraogo [slides]
- 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.
- African Union, “African Union Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform.” P. 16, 2014.
English | Français | Português
Session 9
National Security Strategy Development and Implementation
Presented by:
- Dr. Joel Amegboh [slides]
- Brigadier General James Mwalongo
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:
- Dr. Gary Milante [slides]
- Dr. Willene A. Johnson
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:
- Brigadier General (Rtd) Elijah Mwanyika [slides]
- Dr. Nate Allen [slides]
Reading:
- Nate D. F. Allen. “African-Led Peace Operations: A Crucial Tool for Peace and Security, Spotlight. Washington: Africa Center for Strategic Studies. August 2023.
English | Français - 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 - 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.
- 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
Presented by:
- Ms. Dana L. Banks
- Mr. Peter Duffy
Reading:
- Paul Nantulya, “Africa’s Role in China’s Multilateralism Strategy,” Africa Center for Strategic Studies, January 24, 2023.
- 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.
- 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
Presented by:
- DAS Melanie Harris Higgins
- PD Jennifer Zakriski
Reading:
- United States Africa Command, “2024 Posture Statement to Congress.” 2024.
- The White House, “U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa.” August 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.