Expert Roundtable, Nairobi: BY INVITATION ONLY: Regional Security in the Post-Cold War Horn of Africa
Date: 2010-04-14 to 2010-04-15
Organised by the African Conflict Prevention Programme – Addis Ababa
From 14 to 15 April 2010, the African Conflict Prevention Programme (ACPP) – Addis Ababa is organising an Expert Roundtable on Regional Security in the Post-Cold War Horn of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. The Roundtable is part of the publication process of a forthcoming Monograph on the same topic. The meeting aims at discussing the various contributions to the Monograph specifically and issues related to regional security in the Horn of Africa generally. Participants at the Roundtable consist of contributors, regional and thematic experts and ISS staff.
Background and Objectives of the Monograph
Conventionally, the Horn of Africa consists of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Djibouti. Although these states form the core base of the Horn of Africa, the region came to include geopolitically the adjoining state of Sudan. It should also be pointed out that Egypt is not less involved in the issues and processes of the region. This Monograph primarily attempts to study political decision-making, personalities, historical experiences, and also identify key issues of intra-state politics and patterns of internal insurgency. It explores the shape inter-state relations, events, crises, escalatory confrontations, disputes and regional balance of power in the Horn of Africa. It evaluates the structural foundations, processes, institutions and role of the state in the Horn of Africa. It provides sufficiently cross-referenced, timely and relevant information and analysis on aspects of the complex and fast-changing political conflicts in the region, investigate their root causes as well as the possibilities of their prevention, their effective management and their likely impacts. It assesses the origins, functioning, successes and failures of the regional organisation, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), as well as the involvement of the continental organisation, the African Union. It examines the basis for the most significant involvements of external powers in the region and their geopolitical interests. It also discusses the issues and events related to terrorism in the region. Hence, this Monograph critically analyses the forces and factors affecting the structure and evolution of the Horn of Africa as well as its place in world politics.
Significance of the Monograph
No Monograph has to this date attempted to study exhaustively the political and security dynamics of the Horn of Africa the contours of which are still obscure. Thus, this Monograph will substantially add to the current state of knowledge about issues and events related to this particular region, thereby systematically identifying and projecting future political and security trends. Accordingly, it could serve as a valuable source of information for officials of governmental and inter-governmental organisations, military and security personnel, academics, university students and researchers as well as civil society organizations and concerned inhabitants of the Horn of Africa. It might also become a catalyst for further studies on the region.
For questions on the Roundtable or the forthcoming Monograph, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Beakal Bisrat (T: +251 (0)11 372 1154/5/6 or [email protected]) and Ms. Jamila El Abdellaoui (T: +251 (0)11 372 1154/5/6 or [email protected]) respectively.
