It is now the 56th anniversary of the birth of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), precursor of the African Union. The advent of the African Union in 2002 marked a significant milestone and important chapter in the history of the continent.  The vision and ?objectives of the African Union focus very much on “people -centered development” and on a transformative agenda. The principal goal of the African Union is to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena.

• Nejmeddine Lakhal |
• July-December 2019 |
• Africa Trends

As a continent with vast natural, mineral and energy resources, Africa’s global significance in today’s world cannot be disputed. In recent years, Africa has become the centre of global attention with both traditional powers and emerging powers like China, India, Japan, and others engaging the countries in the region. Four specific developments  denote the growing importance of Africa in the global order.

• Michael A.N.N. Oquaye |
• July-December 2019 |
• Africa Trends

“India-Africa Partnership in a Changing World”

Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

I am privileged to be a part of the Africa Day round-table discussions on ‘India-Africa Partnership in a changing world’. It is an honour to be able to address such a distinguished gathering. I thank the Director General and IDSA for taking this initiative. I also welcome all Heads of Mission and representatives from African countries.

• T.S. Tirumurti |
• July-December 2019 |
• Africa Trends

H.E Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam, Ambassador of Eritrea and Dean of African Heads of Missions

It is my pleasure to be here  for this important Africa Day roundtable dialogue on India-Africa Partnership in a Changing World.

• Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam |
• July-December 2019 |
• Africa Trends

The Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses has hosted the Africa Day Roundtable annually since the last three years in order to commemorate Africa Day, which was earlier referred to as African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day. The IDSA Africa Day Roundtable has evolved into a well-established platform to discuss India-Africa ties. It contributes to the giant strides that India has taken under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to re-define and transform its ties with the dynamic continent of Africa.

• Amb. Sujan R. Chinoy |
• July-December 2019 |
• Africa Trends

As the digital infrastructure backed by China becomes increasingly prevalent in the African continent, it is also important for the latter to have enough oversight to ensure that these tools are not misused. Moreover, it would be more beneficial for Africa to allow other players to thrive in the region.

• Kritika Roy |
• January-June 2019 |
• Africa Trends

It will be difficult to build a set of genuine national security forces when there is no widespread agreement on what constitutes the Somali ‘nation’ and how it should be governed. The future of Somalia thus hangs in balance.

• Aarushi Vikram |
• January-June 2019 |
• Africa Trends

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit to India provided an opportunity to honour the contribution of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi and reinvigorate India’s relations with South Africa, a strategic partner and a leading economic power in Africa.

• Ruchita Beri |
• January-June 2019 |
• Africa Trends

The work for the Department of Peace Operations is thus amply clear. It must privilege the substantive side in its thinking as it approaches mandate making. This would ease the work of peacekeepers and contain the thrust in recent years towards a militarisation of peacekeeping under the cover of robust peacekeeping.

• Ali Ahmed |
• January-June 2019 |
• Africa Trends

The Nigerian Navy is slowly clawing its way back to being a viable force capable of performing critical missions in respect of EEZ surveillance and patrol. It possesses an adequate fleet of inshore and riverine patrol craft and its growing refit and overhaul capabilities should prove adequate to the task of maintaining these vessels and augmenting them with new construction. However, the Nigerian Navy continues to face capability gaps in respect of the number of major surface combatants as well as the weapons systems available to the fleet.

• Sanjay Badri-Maharaj |
• July-December 2018 |
• Africa Trends