 |
Africa Conference: Conflict, Human Security and Energy: African reactions to the New US Africa Command
The new African Command, according to the U.S. government, is intended to provide a unified focus for U.S. security concerns and defense activities in Africa and the goal of the AFRICOM leadership is to develop an inter-agency pattern of security cooperation on the continent by emphasizing diplomatic and development efforts to foster human security (the so-called “Three Ds of Development, Diplomacy and Defense). Conceptually, this “whole of government” arrangement is intended to be mutually beneficial—to the US and African countries. However, for this initiative to be effective, it requires a better understanding, a strengthened partnership and a more significant input from African leaders.
In spite of a number of efforts to explain this initiative, both legitimate concerns and misconceptions regarding the intent and scope of AFRICOM operations persist. This resistance should be seen within the context of a new incoming U.S. administration in January of 2009. These range from realistic security concerns to broad conspiracy theories, mistrust of U.S. intentions, and in some cases erroneous mischaracterizations. This conference and research project will complement other ongoing public policy and research efforts by providing detailed African and American insights from military, socio-economic, government, civil society and regional/sub-regional perspectives. In addition, this conference will (a) provide an analytical overview of, and (b) identify the policy implications of African views toward AFRICOM for both the U.S. and Africa. Presenters will discuss strategies for African countries to put forward their views about these developments. There are three interconnected issues that are often discussed within the context of the AFRICOM debate: support for anti-terrorism activities, energy security, and U.S. competition with China and India for African markets and raw materials. Co-sponsored by GSPIA, Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, Ford Institute for Human Security, University Honors College, African Studies Program, the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of the Provost. Mr. McDonald’s lecture is sponsored by the Professor Saul M. Katz Lectureship on Economic and Social Development. This conference is free for all students, faculty, and interested community members. Register Below: *We will use this information to send everyone a reminder a few days before this event. Participants: Jerry P. Lanier, Foreign Policy Advisor, United States Africa Command Assis Malaquias, Academic Chair and Professor, National Defense University Steve McDonald, Consulting Program Manager, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Taylor Seybolt, Assistant Professor and Interim Director of the Ford Institute for Human Security, University of Pittsburgh John T. S. Keeler, Dean, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh Lawrence J. Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Senior Advisor to the Center for Defense Information and former Dean of GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh J. Peter Pham, Associate Professor and Director, Nelson Institute for International and Public Affairs, James Madison University Mathurin Houngnikpo, Professor, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University Dan Simpson, Associate Editor, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and former US Ambassador to Africa Edward Brynn, Professor, University of North Carolina-Charlotte and former US Ambassador to Africa and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs, and International Affairs Advisor at the National War College Doug Brooks, President, International Peace Operations Association John Harbeson, Professorial Lecturer, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies Mpenga Kabundi, Deputy Regional Director, International Labor Organization, Ethiopia Mohamed Yamba, Professor, California University of Pennsylvania Joshua Forrest, Professor, LaRoche College Peter Karsten, Professor, University of Pittsburgh Patrick Manning, Mellon Professor, University of Pittsburgh Larry Howard, Emeritus Professor and former Dean of GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh Martin Staniland, Professor and Division Director of International Affairs, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh Donald M. Goldstein, Professor and Interim Director of the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, University of Pittsburgh Joseph K. Adjaye, Professor of Africana Studies and Director of the African Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh Macrina Chelagat Lelei, Assistant Director for the African Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh Louis A. Picard, Professor, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh |
 |