In an increasingly multi-polar world, the continent of Africa has assumed a greater significance by becoming home to world’s 25 fastest growing economies and largest reservoir of crude natural resources such as oil, gas, cobalt, diamond, uranium, and plutonium. Africa matters in global platform not just because of its untapped economic resources, but also politically, as the continent finally spread its wings and presented itself as the biggest and consolidated voting bloc at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with fifty four member countries.
As a result, it is not surprising that all of the world's major powers including the US, UK, China, Russia, India, and even emerging Middle East nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are engaging in every opportunity to invest in Africa. However, this pleasant picture of such strategic portfolio of the Africa came into question in recent times as much of the continent became the harbor of ferocious global jihadi activities. Jihadi violence has increased extraordinarily in North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Central African regions. Terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb(AQIM), Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, Islamic State consisting mostly of jihadist or ethnic or religious militias, operating across Africa and created havoc in the continent. The everlasting security and prosperity of Africa rely on its ability to deal with challenges of terrorism.
About Professor Chayanika Deka:
Chayanika Deka, an Adjunct Faculty at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, completed her M.Phil. and Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Before that, she did her BA from Miranda House and MA from the University of Delhi in Political Science. Previously in India, she worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Assam Royal Global University. Prior to that, she worked as a Research Fellow at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Research Wing of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, India. At the Council, she has been entrusted with the desk on Central and West Africa and Non-traditional security. She published several international papers and organizational reports such as Viewpoints, Issue Briefs, and Policy Briefs on security and governance in Africa, Cyber Security and Cyber governance. Apart from ICWA, she also worked as Research Assistant at the Foundation for National Security Research (FNSR), a New Delhi-based think-tank, and contributed to its annual publication, India’s National Security: Annual Review 2012, published in collaboration with Routledge, India.
Admission/Cost: $20 - $35
Location:
Royal India
8990 Miramar Rd
San Diego, CA 92126
Wednesday, September 20 - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
