With its theme as “Governance, Security and Peace in Africa,” the 2012 colloquium attracted leading experts from academia, business, non-governmental organizations, and governments from Africa, Europe and the United States. The Colloquium was well-attended by delegates who actively participated in two days of intense deliberation and exchange of ideas on the importance of strengthening democracy and peace on the African continent. The Colloquium featured panel discussions which highlighted the complex security issues that confront African nations, security challenges surrounding the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, homegrown terrorism, and the persistence of ethno-religious insurgency. The colloquium noted that these were serious concerns that challenge the establishment of institutions and principles of good governance on the continent.
Highlights of the Colloquium
included four keynote addresses by Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, founder of the Mo
Ibrahim Foundation for the promotion of good governance in Africa; Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,
the executive governor of Lagos State, Nigeria; General Carter F. Ham,
Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), based in Stuttgart, Germany; Ambassador Bisa Williams, U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Niger;
Professor Emma
Rothschild of Harvard University, and Dr. Mamphela Ramphele,
South African anti-Apartheid activist and former managing director of
the World Bank.
The
Colloquium acknowledges the fact that the main driver of conflict in Africa is poverty originating from the failure of
leadership and governance. Among the resolutions advanced at the Colloquium
are:
