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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20261012T083000
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SUMMARY:Conference / Symposium:Africa Conference | Shifting Tides: The U.S.-Africa Relationship Amid Global Competition
DESCRIPTION:Shifting Tides: The U.S.-Africa Relationship Amid Global Competition\nCo-organized by Michigan Law School & Weiser Diplomacy Center\, Ford School\n\n“Shifting Tides: The U.S.-Africa Relationship Amid Global Competition” is a two-day conference examining how African states\, regional institutions\, and global powers are navigating rapidly evolving geopolitical\, economic\, and legal landscapes. Bringing together scholars\, policymakers\, legal experts\, investors\, and diplomats\, the conference will explore African perspectives on global governance reform\, climate and innovation challenges\, great power competition\, peace and security\, and emerging economic growth trajectories—including trade integration\, industrial policy\, and Africa-to-Africa investment. With a blend of legal and policy perspectives across five thematic panels\, the conference seeks to analyze the strategic choices facing African governments\, assess implications for U.S. diplomatic and economic engagement\, and highlight the African Union’s growing influence in global diplomacy\, trade\, and law. Through a private expert roundtable and public panel discussions\, the conference will foster critical dialogue and produce actionable policy recommendations aimed at strengthening U.S.–Africa engagement in a more multipolar and economically dynamic world.\n\nPlease RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_7vqvXpfabMWFssspB47cq0UNdRcVGnm7TjujLNy43lXLHw/viewform\n\nPanel Information:\n\n10:15–11:45 AM\nPanel 1 — African Voices on Global Governance\, International Law\, and Institutional Reform\nCombines African policy and legal perspectives on reforming global governance and the rules-based order. Examines representation and influence within institutions such as the UN\, IMF\, World Bank\, WTO\, and ICSID\, and how African states and the African Union deploy legal instruments\, treaty-making\, and voting coalitions to shape global norms. Considers sovereignty\, recognition\, dispute settlement\, development assistance\, and non-interference principles in an era of multipolar competition. Highlights African contributions to international law and implications for U.S.–Africa engagement.\n\nSpeakers\n\nDr. Joseph Asunka\nChief Executive Officer\, Afrobarometer\nDr. Hajer Gueldich\nLegal Counsel of the African Union\; Professor of Public Law\, University of Carthage\nDr. Ebenezer Obadare\nDouglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies\, Council on Foreign Relations\nModerated by Ambassador Susan D. Page\nProfessor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy\, and Professor from Practice at the University of Michigan's Law School\n\n1:00–2:30 PM\nPanel 2 — Climate\, Innovation\, and Human Capital: Navigating Africa's Green Transitions\nExamines how climate pressures\, demographic trends\, and resource endowments drive policy innovation and legal change across the continent. Discusses environmental and climate governance\, natural resource and critical mineral policy\, labor and mobility frameworks for youth\, IP considerations in technology transfer\, and the political economy of climate finance. Identifies strategic opportunities for U.S.–Africa cooperation on green industrialization\, sustainable energy\, and human capital development.\n\nSpeakers\n\nBoubacar Bocoum\nLead Mining Specialist\, World Bank\nDr. Eghosa Ekhator\nAssociate Professor of International Environmental Law\, University of Derby\nOlanrewaju Suraju\nChairman\, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre\nDr. Yousif Hassan \nAssistant Professor at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the School of Information\, University of Michigan\nModerated by Dr. Bilal Butt\nProfessor\, School for Environment and Sustainability\, University of Michigan\n\n2:45–4:15 PM\nPanel 3 — Migration\, Peace and Security in an Age of Uncertainty\nExplores shifting security landscapes—from coups in the Sahel to electoral contestation\, insurgencies\, and maritime insecurity. Integrates policy analysis (peacebuilding\, regional security cooperation\, counterterrorism assistance\, election observation) with relevant legal frameworks (constitutional norms\, AU/ECOWAS protocols on unconstitutional changes of government\, international humanitarian law\, human rights\, and sanctions regimes). Assesses implications for U.S.–Africa security cooperation and governance support.\n\nSpeakers\n\nDr. Shakirah Hudani\nAssociate Professor\, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill\nDr. Omotade Akin Aina\nSenior Program Director\, International Program\, Carnegie Corporation of New York\nMurithi Mutiga\nProgram Director\, Africa\, International Crisis Group\nModerated by tbc.\n\n9:15–10:45 AM\nPanel 4 — Geopolitics and Great Power Competition: Africa's Strategic Positioning\nAnalyzes how African governments manage external influence and competition among the U.S.\, China\, Russia\, the EU\, and Gulf States. Consider both policy tools (foreign aid\, infrastructure\, security partnerships\, media engagement) and legal instruments (basing agreements\, investment contracts\, maritime rules\, bilateral treaties). Highlights African agency in strategic non-alignment\, the African Union's diplomatic positioning\, and how great power competition shapes development outcomes and sovereignty debates.\n\nSpeakers\n\nDr. Benedito Machava\nAssistant Professor of History\, Yale University\nDr. Ibrahim Al-Assil\nSenior Research Fellow\, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs\, Harvard Kennedy School\nDr. Joseph Siegle\nDirector of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies\, National Defense University\nDr. Mo Ibrahim (Virtual) - tbc\nFounder and Chair\, Mo Ibrahim Foundation\nModerated by Dr. Kamissa Camara\nProfessor of Practice\, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy\, University of Michigan\n\n11:00–12:30 PM\nPanel 5 — Africa's Economic Future: Trade Integration\, Investment\, and Growth Pathways\nCenters on Africa's economic transformation and emerging growth strategies. Examines the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of intra-African trade\, industrialization\, and market harmonization. Explores how sovereign wealth funds\, pension funds\, and financial regulatory reforms could mobilize domestic capital for Africa-to-Africa investment and reduce dependence on external financing. Discusses barriers to investment (infrastructure\, risk perception\, monetary policy fragmentation)\, and opportunities in manufacturing\, services\, and digital trade. Identifies implications for U.S.–Africa economic engagement and the evolving role of development finance institutions.\n\nSpeakers\n\nDr. Olufunmilayo Arewa\nProfessor of Law\, George Mason University\nDr. Anita Plummer\nAssociate Professor of African Studies\; Executive Director\, Center for Women\, Gender\, and Global Leadership\, Howard University\nModerated by Dr. Laura Beny\nEarl Warren DeLano Professor of Law\, University of Michigan Law School\n\n\n --------------------\n\n*Part of the International Institute Theme Year: Sovereignty*\nhttps://myumi.ch/ii-theme
UID:150688-21909914@events.umich.edu
URL:https://events.umich.edu/event/150688
CLASS:PUBLIC
STATUS:CONFIRMED
CATEGORIES:African Studies,African Studies Center,Conference,Global Affairs,Theme Year
LOCATION:Weiser Hall - 1010
CONTACT:
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