ISS Seminar, Nairobi: BY INVITATION ONLY: Challenges to Peace and Security in the Horn of Africa: Analysis of Al-Shabaab`s Threats and Attacks
The African
Conflict Prevention Programme of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) –
Nairobi Office cordially invites you to a seminar entitled: Challenges to Peace and Security
in the Horn of Africa: Analysis of Al-Shabaab Threats and Attacks, to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, September
21, 2010. The Somalia conflict has
remained a thorny issue to the Horn of Africa, and Africa in general, since its
outbreak in 1991. Its unpredictably violent dynamics, protracted nature and
complexity of underlying causes, set it apart as one situation in which the
international community continues to grapple with limited options on the way
forward. To date, more than a dozen attempts have been made at its resolution.
Yet, the situation continues to deteriorate.
Despite the
involvement of many armed groups, the Al-Shabaab has emerged in recent times as
the most militarily strong and challenging to recent attempts to bring peace to
Somalia. In addition to their professed links with al-Qaeda; the presence of
foreign fighters in their ranks; persistent attempts to overthrow the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG); and constant attacks on African Union
(AU) peacekeepers, the recent bombing of public places in Uganda by the group
has firmly registered their deadliness to other countries as well. The bombing,
coupled with other associated deadly strikes by the group, have led to many
questions about who they are, the threats they pose, and ways of containing
their onslaught.
Aim of the Seminar
The seminar
aims at creating the platform for frank discussions about the nature of the
Alshabaab and the threat they pose to the entire region. This is premised on
the assumption that a better understanding of the group is indispensable in
finding the way forward for the conflict and in bringing peace to the region.
The following
questions will be addressed by the seminar:
- Review of Peace
and Security Challenges in Somalia
- Growth of
Radicalization in the Horn
- Analysis of Al
Shabaab: Who they are and what is their agenda?
- Regional Implications of
Al-Shabaab’s Attacks
- Strategies for containing
Al-Shabaab’s threats and attacks
- Options for Nurturing
Political Stability and Security in Somalia
Output
Organized to
coincide with the United Nations proclaimed International Day of Peace and in
line with the activities of the African Union Year of Peace, the seminar is
designed to promote consensus building by providing a platform for sharing
information, encouraging policy debates and dialogues on the African peace and
security agenda. The aim is to stimulate quality discussion, in-depth and
constructive interaction between participants. The Seminar will
bring together politicians, diplomats, academics, researchers, the media and
members of the civil society to deliberate on this important issue. Panellists
will be drawn from regional think-tanks, members of government, civil society,
academia and regional intergovernmental institutions.
Apart from a seminar report, deliberations of lessons
learned will end up in a policy brief
aimed at informing understanding of the challenges to peace and security in
Somalia with a focus on Al-Shabaab group.
Please
note that discussions occur under the ISS Rule, which means no attribution
without specific permission.
