Why are ad hoc military coalitions on the rise in Africa?
The trend could be a symptom of a failing multilateral system or a pragmatic solution to evolving security challenges.
Date: 2024-10-22
Time: 09:30 to 11:30
Venue: ISS Pretoria, seminar room and online via Zoom
Military ad hoc coalitions (AHCs) are increasingly used to deal with regional conflict and instability in Africa. These autonomous arrangements are created at short notice in response to specific threats that require immediate intervention. They also generally operate outside established frameworks like the United Nations, African Union and regional economic communities.
This seminar explores the interplay between the growing appeal of less formal AHCs, and global geopolitical competition amongst major powers. The key question is whether AHCs are an appropriate way to deal with conflict in light of a multilateral system that struggles to deliver peace and security.
This seminar is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), University of the Witwatersrand and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. In-person attendance is by invitation only.
Moderator: Priyal Singh, Senior Researcher, ISS
Opening remarks: Dr Fonteh Akum, Executive Director, ISS
Panelists:
- Dr Torsten Konopka, University of Potsdam
- Dr John Karlsrud, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
- Dr Michelle Small, University of the Witwatersrand
- Dr Dawit Yohannes, Project Manager and Senior Researcher, ISS
