Register Online: ISS Seminar: Africa 2008: Prospects for Prosperity and Peace?
Cape Town, 29 February 2008

Presented by The Book Lounge and the Corruption and Governance Programme, ISS Cape Town

The beginning of 2008 has witnessed dramatic developments in different parts of Africa, including the violent aftermath of Kenya’s controversial presidential poll, a rebel assault on the Chadian capital, and a purge of allegedly corrupt cabinet members in Tanzania. What, if any, political trends can we expect in 2008? What are the prospects for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe? How will two centres of power in South Africa impact on the continent? What role can and should the African Union play in promoting peace and democratic governance in 2008?

The speakers will provide a brief overview of some of the key political and economic challenges facing various sub-regions in 2008. Analysis will also be provided as to the continental role of the African Union in the year ahead - are we midway between the OAU and ‘The Government of Africa’? Special attention will also be paid to Zimbabwe which is facing multi-party elections in the next few weeks. This will be followed by lively discussion and debate.

Speakers:

Africa in 2008: An overview
Richard Cornwell, Senior Research Fellow, ISS African Security Analysis Programme, Tshwane

The AU and its role in Africa in 2008
Dr. Tim Murithi, Independent Analyst, Cape Town

Zimbabwe in 2008. Free and fair elections?
Chris Maroleng, Senior Researcher, ISS African Security Analysis Programme, Tshwane

About the Speakers

Richard Cornwell is a Senior Research fellow in the ISS African Security Analysis Programme and has published widely on contemporary African politics and is extensively consulted by the media, business and government on this subject. He has previously worked as a researcher and lecturer at the Africa Institute and UNISA, and is former editor of the Journal of Contemporary African Studies and Africa Insight.

Chris Maroleng is a Senior Researcher in the African Security Analysis Programme at the ISS Tshwane office. He is responsible for conflict analysis and early warning on Southern Africa and is considered to be a leading expert on Zimbabwe. Prior to joining the ISS in 2002 Chris was a research and teaching assistant at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the Department of Political Studies.

Dr Tim Murithi is an independent analyst who has undertaken extensive research on, and for the African Union. He is currently an associate Researcher of the ISS Direct Conflict Prevention Programme in Addis Ababa. He previously worked as a Senior Researcher at the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town and in the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in Geneva.

Date: Friday 29 February 2008
Time: 11h00 – 13h00
Venue:The Book Lounge, Corner Buitenkant Roeland Street, Cape Town

RSVP: Thursday 28 February, Ms. Natashia Emmett, [email protected], Tel (021) 461 7211