ALC-King's Africa Debates: African agency for peace in an era of multipolarism—the case of Sudan

This is a simulation debate which aims to explore the barriers and possibilities for sustainable conflict resolution in Africa amid the era of multipolarism, with a particular focus on ongoing efforts to address the conflict in Sudan. Each panelist will be speaking as prominent leaders involved in the peace process in Sudan. Join us as we debate the nuances of African agency in shaping peace and development in this ever-evolving landscape.

Keynote speaker: Dr Kizza Besigye, Ugandan physician and politician and ALC Leading Practitioner, will deliver a keynote on 'Challenges and prospects of nurturing African agency for peace'. 

Panelists:

• Shreya Dharmalingam: Associate Fellow, speaking as H.E. Dr Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, Member of the AU High Level Panel for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan;
• Ivan Muvunyi: Associate Fellow, speaking as Raad Ibrahim, Spokesperson of the Resistance Committee;

• Kaltumi Abdulazeez: Fellow for African Women in Peace, Security and Development Fellowship, speaking asH.E General Abdul Fattah Al-Burbank, Military Commander of the SAF;

• Asma Haroun: Fellow for African Women in Peace, Security and Development Fellowship, speaking as H.E. Mohammed Hamadan Dagalo, Leader of the Paramilitary RSF;

• Gorata Chepete: Fellow for African Women in Leadership and Peacebuilding, speaking as H.E. Dr Comfort Ero, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group;

• Merceline Odhiambo: Fellow for African Women in Leadership and Peacebuilding, speaking as H.E. Abdalla Hamdok, Former Prime Minister of Sudan and Current Leader of the Coordinating Office of the Democratic Civil Forces;
• Moderator - Desmond Davies: Editor of Africa Briefing Magazine.

This event is part of Africa Week 2024 organised by the African Leadership Centre at King's. Learn more about Africa Week 2024.

This is a hybrid event. If you are joining this event online, please use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89288761148?pwd=WnJ1SzdkU2dpeER0RjNkaHZ2elI0UT09.

About the speakers

Retired Colonel Dr Kizza Besigye was born in Uganda on 22 April, 1956 to Ugandan parents. He was educated in Uganda and later qualified as a medical doctor. He briefly worked in Uganda and Kenya prior to his participation in the bush war in 1980-1982, which brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986. He served as a Minister in Museveni’s “transitional government” (1986-1990). He served in Command and Staff positions in the military-Uganda People’s Defence Forces, retiring in 2000 at the rank of Colonel. He contested in Uganda’s presidential elections of 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, which were all marred by violence and gross irregularities. He was declared the runner-up in all the four highly controversial elections. He was also a founding leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party 2005-2012. 

Asma Haroun is a current Fellow on the African Women in Peace, Security and Development Fellowship. She is an accomplished activist and seasoned development practitioner with more than a decade of experience. Holding a bachelor's degree in water and environmental engineering from Sudan University of Science and Technology in Khartoum, Asma has made significant contributions as a program specialist in various development initiatives throughout Sudan. Her expertise spans critical areas such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Human Rights.

Kaltumi Abdulazeez is a current Fellow on the African Women in Peace, Security and Development Fellowship. She is a prominent humanitarian activist and advocate for women, girls, and marginalized communities. She holds a Masters in Conflict, Security and Development from the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. As the founder of Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative (LEGASI), a registered nonprofit organization in Nigeria, she passionately champions gender equality and peacebuilding.

Gorata Chepete is a current Fellow for African Women in Leadership and Peacebuilding Fellowship. She is a seasoned criminologist with about five years of professional experience in various fields such as counter-terrorism, intelligence, peacebuilding, community development, public policy and regulatory affairs. She honed her expertise while working at a strategic advisory firm that operated at the intersection of government and industry. In this role, she handled mandates for large corporations, global foundations, and multinational organizations across multiple African countries.

Merceline Odhiambo is a current Fellow for African Women in Leadership and Peacebuilding Fellowship. She is the founder of Grassroot Women and Politics Community-Based Organization. Her organisation is dedicated to empowering and training young widows, those living with HIV/AIDS and with invisible disabilities on Political Awareness, Financial Literacy, Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights and Peace & Conflict Resolution in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay- Kenya. She is deeply committed to advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. Her track record includes spearheading program development and implementation, championing the rights of women and adolescents, and bridging the gap in women’s participation and inclusion in decision-making processes.

Shreya Dharmalingam is an Associate Fellow with the African Leadership Centre, while completing her MSc in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding. She is deeply committed to effecting positive change in socio-political and economic spheres, particularly in addressing intersectional concerns such as gender and racial inequality. Notably, she contributed as a member of the United Nations (UN) Association at UCT.and participated in the Golden Key Mentorship Programme.

Ivan Muvunyi is an Associate Fellow with the African Leadership Centre, while completing his MSc in Leadership and Development. He is also a member of King’s 100 2023/24 cohort. Ivan has a history of assuming active leadership roles during undergrad, including Head of Marketing for the African and Caribbean Society. His contribution was crucial in rebuilding and shaping the ACS following the COVID-19 pandemic, which had impacted the students' experience and expectations. As part of the ACS executive, Ivan created events, initiatives and partnerships that enhanced growth opportunities for students of African and Caribbean descent. Apart from his studies, he occasionally works as a designer, filmmaker, and music producer.

Desmond Davies, originally from Freetown in Sierra Leone, has been a journalist and commentator on African affairs since 1972. Moving to London in 1978, he worked for New African and Africa Now magazines, becoming Editor of the latter in 1984. He spent 10 years (1993-2003) with West Africa magazine, also in London, and was Editor from 2001 to 2003. He continues to write extensively on African and global affairs. He has a wide range of contacts in Africa and has interviewed numerous heads of state, political, business and cultural leaders. Desmond is currently the Editor of Africa Briefing magazine in London and also a contributor to the Ghana News Agency (GNA). He is a Mentor in strategic communication at the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London.