Congo ‘viert feest’
in Sampol, 2010, nr. 6, pp. 68-72. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Africa
As a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are seeing a renewed Global Powers competition and an increasingly acute energy crisis. These developments have put the African continent centre stage again in international relations. Understanding how political and security developments within Africa shape the continent, as well as its position on the international scene, is a core objective of the Africa Programme.
In line with this aim, we contribute to increased knowledge and shape policy debates on, and in, Africa by organising expert seminars and providing in-depth research on: military interventions and security collaborations; the politics of elections; peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts; the political economy of mining, and the development of women, peace and the security agenda, with a particular focus on the Great Lakes and the Sahel region.
Drawing on our own expertise, as well as a wide network of national and international research institutes, public authorities, and NGOs, makes the Africa Programme a central authority on matters related to Africa on a national, regional and global level.
Publications
DRC politics. The politics of continuity?
Monsieur le Président vous n’avez pas d’armée. Evaluation de la reforme du secteur de sécurité et son impact sur les provinces du Kivus, Koen Vlassenroot, Hans Hoebeke et Henri Boshoff, […]
Where was united Africa in the climate change negotiations?
A political commitment was reached in Copenhagen between five countries: US, China, India Brazil and South Africa. The rest of the conference simply “took note of it”, most with resignation, […]
Fearing a ‘shiite octopus’. Sunni – Shi`a relations and the implications for Belgium and Europe
During the last five years, and more specifically since the US invasion of Irak, different Sunni policy makers and religious actors have ventilated their concern for what they see as […]
The Iranian elections from a distance
As most analysts have pointed out recently, the most important element which came to the fore during the electoral unrest in Iran, was the divided political and religious landscape within […]
Fragile states and the international response: in pursuit of security or development?
In the pursuit of security and development in Africa, more and more reference is being made to the concept of fragile states. This paper explores the meaning of this concept […]