Seminar: Usikkerhed i Vestafrika – hvad er mulighederne for at løse det?

TIME: Friday, 5 October, 9.00 – 10.30

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

In recent months, West Africa has attracted attention as an increasingly troubled and instable part of the world. On September 26, the United Nations General Assembly holds a High Level session to discuss the issue.

TIME: Friday, 5 October, 9.00 – 10.30

VENUE: Danish Institute for International Studies, Main Auditorium, Strandgade 71, ground floor, Christianshavn, 1401 Copenhagen K

In recent months, West Africa has attracted attention as an increasingly troubled and instable part of the world. On September 26, the United Nations General Assembly holds a High Level session to discuss the issue.

The influx of arms and mercenaries from Libya has led to growing insecurity and added to the dire humanitarian consequences of the long foreseen, yet sadly un-averted food crisis in the Sahel region. In particular, developments in Mali have been worrying, yet despite intense diplomatic activity among ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations a decisive international response has so far not emerged.

In the meantime, the impact of other issues, including transnational organized crime and terrorism, continues to undermine political and economic development in the region.

In addition to Mali, Guinea-Bissau experienced a military coup in April 2012 and the UN Secretary-General has warned that other West African countries are vulnerable to unconstitutional changes of government due to weak governance, lack of political inclusiveness and politicized and unregulated security sectors.

The gains in consolidating peace and democracy that have been made in past years may turn out to be easily reversible.

Niger plays an active role in the fields of Mediation and conflict resolution in Mali, Security Sector reform and Inter-religious and civil society dialogue in Western Africa.

This seminar explores Niger’s perspective on the prospects and challenges for addressing the complex set of cross-border issues that confront the states and people of West Africa.

Programme:

09.00-09.05: Welcome; Manni Crone, Senior Researcher, DIIS

09.05-09.45: Addressing Insecurity in West Africa: The Prospects of Conflict Resolution, Security Sector Reform and Inter-Religious Dialogue; Mohamed Bazoum, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens in the Exterior in Niger

09.45-10.30: Open Discussion

Chair: Manni Crone, Senior Researcher, DIIS

The seminar will be held in English.

Please note that the doors will be closed at 9.00 after which entry will not be possible.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Read more about the seminar and use the online registration form on the website no later than Thursday, 4 October at 12 noon.

Please await confirmation by e-mail from DIIS for participation.