Africa’s Contemporary Security Challenges

September 14-16, 2022

Washington, D.C.

Information Note | Syllabus | Speaker Biographies | Program Schedule

Overview of the Africa Center

Presented by:

  • Mr. Daniel Hampton

Recommended Reading:

Module 1: Africa’s Security Landscape

Plenary 1: Violent Conflict Trends, Megatrends, and Security Implications

Objectives:

  • Explore the changing demographic, economic, and environmental factors that may pose security challenges now or in the near future.
  • Understand the types of conflict and violence in Africa, as well as changes in patterns of conflict and violence over time.
  • Consider how the United States can support African governments, regional organizations, and citizens to address and mitigate the drivers of conflict.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Paul D. Williams
  • Dr. Luka Kuol

Plenary 2: Violent Extremism

Objectives:

  • Assess the underlying drivers and root causes of violent extremism in Africa, with an emphasis on the Sahel.
  • Distill the roles played by local government and non-government actors, as well as the international and regional communities, in countering and preventing violent extremism.
  • Discuss how the United States can support local, national, regional and international efforts to address violent extremism in the Sahel and elsewhere in Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Anouar Boukhars
  • Ms. Kamissa Camara

Plenary 3: Transnational Organized Crime

Objectives:

  • Describe the key actors, networks and trends involved in transnational organized crime in Africa.
  • Understand the drivers of transnational organized crime in Africa, as well as its consequences for governance, stability, and economic development.
  • Discuss how the United States can work with Africa-based governments, citizens, and regional organizations to address transnational organized crime.

Presented by:

  • Mr. Martin Ewi
  • Dr. Catherine Lena Kelly

Plenary 4: Maritime Security

Objectives:

  • Explore maritime safety and security in Africa.
  • Evaluate existing arrangements to safeguard Africa’s maritime interests.
  • Discuss how the United States can further advance maritime safety and security in Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood

Plenary 5: Cyber Security Threats and Challenges

Objectives:

  • Explore how the spread of information and communications technology in Africa is influencing Africa’s economic, geopolitical and security landscape.
  • Assess national, regional, and international approaches to managing Africa’s cyber-related threats.
  • Discuss how the United States can help African states, private sector actors and citizens manage cyber threats without undermining political liberties and freedoms.

Presented by:

  • Ms. Nanjira Sambuli
  • Dr. Nate Allen

Module 2: Africa’s Security Governance Challenges

Plenary 6: Democracy, Rule of Law and Security Sector Governance

Objectives:

  • Examine the progress, challenges, and opportunities African countries face in achieving representative, democratic governance based on the rule of law.
  • Discuss the importance of a democracy and rule of law to citizen safety and security in Africa.
  • Identify the ways in which the United States can help to reinforce democracy and the rule of law in Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Catherine Kelly
  • Dr. Chris Fomunyoh

Plenary 7: External Actor Influence

Objectives:

  • Assess Russian and Chinese economic, political, and security engagement in Africa.
  • Discuss the security implications of Russian and Chinese engagement in Africa.
  • Consider how the United States can help African partner nations address the malign aspects of Russian and Chinese engagement with Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Joseph Siegle
  • Dr. Lina Benabdallah

Plenary 8: Civil Military Relations: Sudan in the Comparative Perspective

Objectives:

  • Assess the current state of civil-military relations in Africa.
  • Discuss how African civil-military relations influence security outcomes in Africa through their influence on coups, conflict, and democracy.
  • Discuss how civil-military relations have influenced Sudan’s ongoing transition.
  • Discuss how the United States can help African governments foster more transparent, effective, and accountable security force institutions.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Nate Allen
  • Ms. Susan Stigant

Module 3: National, Regional, and USG Responses

Plenary 9: National Security Strategy and Management of Security Resources

Objectives:

  • Discuss the importance of National Security Strategy and resource management in achieving effective security outcomes.
  • Highlight key trends, challenges, obstacles and lessons learned in National Security Strategy and resource management in Africa.
  • Highlight opportunities for the United States to advance strategic leadership and improve the management of security resource in Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Gary Milante
  • Dr. Joel Amegboh

Plenary 10: Regional Approaches to Conflict Management in Africa

Objectives:

  • Provide an overview of challenges and opportunities of regional and sub-regional responses to regional security challenges.
  • Assess regional security and defense policies, architectures, and mechanisms for responding to regional security challenges.
  • Discuss how the United States can advance relationships with key regional actors, such as the African Union and the Regional Economic Committees, to improve security provision in Africa.

Presented by:

  • Dr. Dorina Bekoe
  • Ms. Alexis Arieff

Plenary 11: United States Government Partnership and Assistance to Africa

Objectives:

  • Provide an overview of U.S. foreign policy objectives, partnerships, and Africa-focused programs.
  • Examine the objectives and mechanisms of U.S. security assistance to Africa.
  • Discuss challenges, lessons learned, and ways to improve partnerships between the United States and Africa to address Africa’s most pressing security challenges.

Presented by:

  • Mr. Matthew Petit
  • Ms. Chidi Blyden