Africa Society - Howard University Examine Bifurcation of Africa

25 February 2007
Content from a Premium Partner
Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa (Washington, DC)
press release

The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and Howard University's Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center will sponsor a forum on "The Bifurcation of the Continent of Africa:  Bridging the Divide Between North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa" on Wednesday, February 28, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Bunche Center, located at 2218 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Panelists for this program are:

  • Ms. Linda Thomas- Greenfield, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
  • His Excellency Amine Kherbi, Ambassador of the People's Republic of Algeria
  • His Excellency Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana
  • Dr. Pearl Alice Marsh, Professional Staff Member, House International Relations Committee
  • Dr. Ben-Fred Mensah, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Howard University

The purposes of the Forum are to assess the root causes of the bifurcation of the continent as it pertains to North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa; the impact of this divide in terms of U.S. foreign policy vis a vis Africa, and Africa in its totality; and steps being taken to reconcile this regional separation.  Speakers will also discuss the cultural, geo-political and economic aspects inherent in bridging the divides that currently exist, as well as the role of the African Union in establishing a unified Africa in the future.

There has been a growing realization that this division between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, created in the aftermath of colonialism by non-African governments and international organizations, warrants closer scrutiny by African leaders as well as a reassessment by foreign governments in their bilateral and multilateral relationships.  The panel of experts assembled for this meeting will shed light on whether or how the current political and cultural separation can be addressed within Africa and by outside actors.

The partnership between Howard University's Ralph Bunch International Affairs Center and The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa for this Issue Forum Series began in 2000.  Its purpose is to bring policymakers, media, academics, opinion leaders, African leaders and the public together to discuss key topics pertaining to the contine

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