22 Jun 2009: ISS Seminar, Pretoria: The Role of the Private Security Sector in African Conflicts
ISS Seminar: The Role of the Private Security Sector in African
Conflicts
Pretoria,
22 June 2009
Â
Hosted by the Security Sector Governance Programme
Â
In the past decade, the use of private military/security companies (PMSCs) in Africa’s conflicts has
grown in prominence. The use of PMSCs in African conflicts, though varied and dynamic, has become a
generally acceptable especially in the First World. While some PMSCs play a pivotal role in contributing
towards Africa’s peace efforts, this is not entirely true with others. Some of the challenges, which PMSCs
have posed in African conflicts, range from their violation of human rights, International Humanitarian
Law to lack of accountability and alleged involvement in mercenary activities. Unfortunately very few
African States have effective regulatory frameworks (if at all) that are aimed at addressing the
privatization of security phenomenon. The Seminar aims at giving a perspective on the role of PMSCs in
African conflicts as well as possible mechanisms that could be employed in effectively regulating the
private military/security industry within the continent.
Â
Speaker: Mr Doug Brooks, President of IPOA, the Association of the Stability Operations Industry
Â
Date: Monday, 22 June 2009
Time: 10h30 (tea and coffee); 11h00 (Seminar starts); 12h30 (light lunch)
Venue: ISS Conference Room,
Block C, Brooklyn Court,
361 Veale Street,
New Muckleneuk, Tshwane (Pretoria)
(Parking in Brooklyn Mall and ABSA Court)
Â
RSVP: Ms Millicent Mlaba, Tel: (012) 3469500;
Fax: (012) 460 0998;
E-mail: [email protected]
Â
Doug Brooks, President, IPOA, the Association of the Stability Operations Industry. IPOA is a
non-governmental, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of service companies dedicated to providing ethical
services to international peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian rescue, stabilization efforts and
disaster relief. Mr Brooks is a specialist on private sector capabilities and African security issues and has
written extensively on the regulation and constructive utilization of the private sector for international
peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Mr Brooks has testified before the U.S. Congress, South African Parliament and to UN functions. He has
appeared on countless TV and radio programs including al Jazeera, the BBC, CBS News, NBC News, Fox
News, CNN International, National Public Radio, the Diane Rehm show, Voice of America, SABC in
South Africa and the Lehrer News Hour. He has lectured at numerous universities and colleges,
including Georgetown University, the South African Defense College, the Inter-American Defense
College at Fort McNair and the US Military Academy at West Point.
Â
Mr Brooks is originally from Indiana and has a BA in History from Indiana University and an MA in
History from Baylor University, with additional doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Public and
International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. He has worked as a teacher in Kambuzuma Township in
Harare, Zimbabwe, at the Library of Congress, at the National Archives, and the Institute of
International Education (IIE). Previous to founding IPOA he was an academic fellow at the South
African Institute for International Affairs in 1999-2000.
Â
Seminar Documentation
