The seminar, titled “Drawing Lessons from Security Force Assistance in Afghanistan and Implications for the Sahel,” seeks to critically examine the experiences and challenges encountered in providing security force assistance in Afghanistan and explore the relevance of these lessons for addressing security dynamics in the Sahel region.

Egmont Institute is pleased to welcome David H Young, Team Leader for the US Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) who draws on in-depth research from the US reconstruction experience in Afghanistan, and Professor Sari Kouvo, policy officer in the Secretariat of the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel at EEAS and co-director and co-founder of the Afghanistan Analysts Network who has professional experience from both Afghanistan and Sahel to discuss the topic.

The seminar aims to bring together experts, practitioners, and policymakers to foster a nuanced dialogue on effective strategies for enhancing security cooperation and assistance in the Sahel.  By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the seminar aims to contribute to the development of more effective and contextually appropriate strategies for enhancing security in the Sahel region.

Moderator:

• Prof. Nina Wilén, Africa Program Director Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• David H. Young: Team Lead, US Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)
• Prof. Sari Kuovo: Policy Officer Justice/Human Rights, Secretariat of the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel (S.P3S) European External Action Service

Duration: The seminar is structured to last 1.5 hours, with time for in-depth exploration of lessons from security force assistance in Afghanistan and their relevance to the Sahel.