International Conference on "Rising Africa: Looking Back to Think Ahead" from 3 - 4 October 2023 at MMAJ-Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia islamia (JMI), New Delhi.
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International Conference on "Rising Africa: Looking Back to Think Ahead" from 3-4 October 2023
International Webinar on May 5th 2020
Talk by President of African Development Bank at IIC organiseded by ASA/PRIASA on 1st February2013
Round Table on "China in Francophone and Anglophone Africa: Implications on India", 24th August 2012 at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Public lecture cum discussion by Prof. Denis Venter on "The Imperatives of Democracy and Governance for African Renewal" at Conference Hall I, India International Centre on 27th January 2011 at 6:30 PM
ASA Interaction with visiting Journalist from Africa January 2011
South Africa under Globalisation: Issues in Foreign Policy and Development at New Delhi (JNU) on 11-12 Nov 2009
Asia - Sudan Internation Seminar organised in collaboration with Denmark School of International Studies at New Delhi (at IIC) on 10-11 Nov. 2009
 

International Webinar

 

 

 

on

 

 

 

Traditional power’s use of ‘Diaspora within’ for secession in mother

 

countries: Comparative experiences from Africa

 

 

 

organised by

 

 

Centre for African Studies, School of International Studies (SIS), JNU;

 

 

African Studies Association of India (ASA India)

 

 &

 

Organisation for Diaspora Initiatives, India (ODI India)

 

 

Date: 14 November 2023

  

 

Time: 3:00 PM onwards (IST)

 

 

at  Zoom platform hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

 

 

Zoom LINK:

 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83356388967?pwd=Svv01GDoZAeVhguSsulWKQo6lHIy6S.1

 

 

ZOOM Meeting ID: 833 5638 8967

 

 

ZOOM Password: CASWebinar

 

 

For any query please email it at webinars.casjnu@gmail.com

 

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PANELIST

 

Moderator: Prof. Ajay K Dubey, Chairperson Centre for African Studies, JNU and President Asa India & Odi India

 

Speakers:

 

Amb Virendra Gupta, President, ARSP, Bharat; Former Indian Ambassador to Tanzania & South Africa,& Former Visiting Prof Centre for African Studies, JNU

 

Dr. Khalid Abdalla Abdelwahab, Political Affairs Officer, British Embassy, Khartoum, Sudan and Ex JNUite

 

Dr. Nicholas Idris ERAMEH, Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, Nigeria

 

Dr. JM Moosa, Associate Professor, Centre for African Studies, SIS, JNU

 

Dr. Bijay Ketan Pratihari, Associate Professor, Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia & Treasurer, Asa India

 

Ms. Ruchita Beri, Consultant, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies & Analyses (MP- IDSA)

 

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CONCEPTNOTE

 

Following their attainment of independence, a number of African nations had instances of secession. The situation occurred despite the fact that the Organization of African Unity (OAU), established in 1963, had firmly affirmed the inviolability of African national borders and committed to collaborative efforts aimed at preserving their integrity. Following it, the African Union adopted a similar decision. However, after gaining their independence, several African nations had secessions, with some of them still grappling with ongoing secessionist challenges. Similar to other independent and emerging nations in post the Second World War era, Africa continues to grapple with the persistent challenge of separatist and centrifugal tendencies that pose a threat to state unity.

 

In addition to several other factors, the presence of powerful foreign powers with a vested interest in Africa has contributed to the emergence of separatist groups in numerous African nations. The concept of "diaspora within" in Western countries is used to exert and maintain pressure on African governments, with the aim of eliciting concessions from these states to Western powers.

 

By creation of centrifugal forces they expect that African states will follow their line and interest otherwise political instability, secessionist forces will be a constant challenge for them. One has seen use of ‘Diaspora within’ by the Western countries in successfully dividing Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and making stability difficult in many other African countries. 

 

Use of ‘Diaspora within’ to achieve their interest by creating new client states by the Western powers has accelerated under globalisation. This trend has been particularly pronounced as African nations increasingly see diaspora populations as valuable assets and economic resources, hence facilitating their integration and granting them various privileges.

 

A highly linked ‘Diaspora within’ had been used and is would be used by the developed countries to destabilise the mother countries and at times effect secession which give them a new state that owe its birth to these Western powers and serves their interests. Simultaneously ‘Diaspora within’ from a developed country like Britain within developed countries has silently led to formation of a ‘world community’ that speak with one voice and also  share intelligence as ‘five eyes’ while using ‘Diaspora within’ from Africa and other developing countries to promote secession and instability.

 

The proposed webinar intends to examine the experiences of different African countries that have witnessed secession and are facing strong secessionist forces in Africa. It examines the role of ‘Diaspora within’ forces located in developed countries, their strategy, and how  African countries are managing such external divisive initiatives.

 
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