Symposium on Regional Security Dynamics in the Horn of Africa

The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s (KAS) Regional Programme Security Dialogue East Africa (RP SIPODI East Africa) hosted a panel discussion on “Regional Security Dynamics at the Horn of Africa”.

The event was opened with remarks by Nils Wörmer, Head of the RP SIPODI East Africa. The discussion focused on the security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Nils Wörmer emphasised that the major crises in Somalia, Sudan, and the Red Sea region have gained significant importance, and therefore, the knowledge of the young experts on these topics should be shared.

The evening's proceedings were moderated by Edgar Mwine, Project Officer at the RP SIPODI East Africa.

At the start of the panel discussion, three participants from the KGA shared their insights on security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Moustafe Ali Ahmed, a researcher focused on politics and security in Somalia, Sahra Abdi Hassan, Business Development Manager at the Academy for Peace and Development in Hargeisa, and Enas M. Latif, Programme Manager at TEEBA Press, explored the complex challenges confronting Somalia, the Red Sea region, and Sudan.

Following the brief presentations from the three speakers, a broader discussion with the remaining symposium participants ensued.

The event was opened with remarks by Nils Wörmer, Director of the RP SIPODI East Africa. He highlighted that the discussion was part of a week-long training on geopolitics, attended by young experts in international security from eleven East African countries. The discussion focused on the security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Nils Wörmer emphasised that the major crises in Somalia, Sudan, and the Red Sea region have gained significant importance, and therefore, it was important to share the knowledge of the young experts on these topics. He extended a special welcome to the Kampala Geopolitics Academy's lecturers, Dr Susanne Conrad, Advisor for the Rule of Law and Security in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Dr Christian Rieck, Lecturer and Research Associate at the Chair of Military History/Cultural History of Violence at the University of Potsdam, as well as Anna Reismann, Director of the KAS Uganda and South Sudan Office, and members of the German Embassy in Kampala. The evening's proceedings were then moderated by Edgar Mwine, Project Officer at RP SIPODI East Africa.

At the start of the panel discussion, three participants from the KGA shared their insights on security dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Moustafe Ali Ahmed, a researcher focused on politics and security in Somalia, Sahra Abdi Hassan, Business Development Manager at the Academy for Peace and Development in Hargeisa, and Enas M. Latif, Program Manager at TEEBA Press, explored the complex challenges confronting Somalia, the Red Sea region, and Sudan.

The discussion explored the various root causes of conflicts in East Africa and the existing risks for future conflicts. It was highlighted how the failure of regional actors, such as the African Union, IGAD, and the East African Community (EAC), creates space for external powers to intervene. The far-reaching implications of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somalia and Ethiopia were also addressed. Another key focus was on the influence of terrorist organisations on the central conflicts in the Horn of Africa. The discussion concluded with the presentation of potential solutions and scenarios for addressing the conflicts and challenges faced by each country.

Following the brief presentations from the three speakers, a broader discussion with the remaining symposium participants ensued. Finally, Nils Wörmer invited attendees to continue their conversations over the reception afterwards.