June 2024

The start to the summer has brought many developments across the continent and around the world. As we respond to these rapid global changes, the Africa Program has continued our dedication to nonpartisan, inclusive and locally focused dialogue through our events, publications and engagements. We have continued monitoring the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), keeping eyes on Sudan, following South Africa’s recent elections, engaging our Southern Voice Network for Peacebuilding and sharing the insights of our local partners regarding the recent protests in Kenya. We look forward to sharing more about our work on these critical topics and engagements in this newsletter.

To stay up to date on our programming and publications, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media. We are excited to share some of our highlights from the month of June and, as we enter July, we look forward to your continued engagement with the Africa Program.

Sincerely,

Oge Onubogu

AGOA: Road to Reauthorization Collection

This summer is a critical juncture for US-Africa trade relations as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) stands for reauthorization. Without further renewal from Congress, AGOA is set to expire in 2025. Since its launch, the Africa Program has followed AGOA’s progress. This month, we hosted Senator Chris Coons and a panel of distinguished thought leaders to examine AGOA’s role in US-Africa trade. We look forward to continuing this engagement as we host the AGOA Civil Society and Organized Labor Forum, part of the 2024 AGOA Forum.

The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding

Continuing our dedication to the importance of local voices in peacebuilding, the Africa Program hosted our Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding alumni scholars for a conference focused on the future of governance on the continent. We were honored to welcome back some of our incredible scholars as they debated, shared and networked with one another and engaged American leaders in US-Africa relations while on Capitol Hill.

This month also marked the end of term for our spring 2024 SVNP scholars – Ansoumane Samassy Souare, Meressa Kahsu Dessu and Nontando Ndhlovu. As part of their term, our scholars presented their research and authored a research paper and accompanying policy brief. Learn more from their insights here:

🔹 Policing Africa: Imperatives to Peace, Security, and Governance by Meressa Kahsu Dessu

🔹 Transitional Justice, Women’s Empowerment, and Sustainable Peace: The Case of Zimbabwe by Nontando Ndhlovu

🔹 The Changing Nature of Security Threats in the Central Sahel: The Rise of Self-Defense Groups and Private Security Companies by Ansoumane Samassy Souaré

On the CONTINENT

This month, we have continued to respond to important developments across Africa.

In the beginning of June, we saw historic results from South Africa’s elections. For the first time since the end of apartheid, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has lost its majority in parliament and must form a coalition government. Our Global Fellow, Terence McNamee, tackles this historic shift in his recent blog and video.

Last month, violence against protestors in Kenya sparked international attention. In this Q&A, we engage with our Kenya-based SVNP partners Dr. Florence Odiwuor and Dr. Fredrick Ogenga as they shared their insights on the future implications of these citizen-led protests and the governmental response.

The Sudans Working Group

As Sudan’s peace talks continue to be delayed, devastating destruction and violence continues. In this time, it is critical to keep our eyes on Sudan and continue advocating for locally-informed and inclusive peace to allow for a safe, secure and prosperous Sudan. The suffering must end and our Sudans Working Group has continued tireless engagement toward this goal. Check out our SWG landing page for more insights, and stay tuned for a Wilson NOW and blog post from Ambassador Nureldin Satti and Ambassador Donald Booth to be released in July.

New Members of the Africa Program

Last but certainty not least, we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Patrick Utomi to the Africa Program this month as our inaugural Brown Capital Management – Africa Program Public Policy Fellow. I would also like to welcome Carol Ngongang and Ryan Brown, our summer 2024 interns. Welcome to the Africa Program, Dr. Utomi, Carol and Ryan!

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