Yusuf Kiranda, University Secretary at Makerere University, officially opened the conference and highlighted its significance as a platform for intellectual exchange on critical continental and global issues. He stressed the importance of establishing structured follow-up mechanisms for resolutions, given the conference’s influence on Africa’s economy, security, and daily life, reaffirming Makerere University’s pride in hosting the event for the ninth consecutive year. H. E. Virginie Leroy, French Ambassador to Uganda, emphasized the KGC’s role as an inclusive space for dialogue, especially for students, and urged participants to align geopolitical debates with African societal aspirations, focusing on sovereignty and financial independence. Anna Reismann, Country Director of KAS Uganda and South Sudan, reflected on the evolving global order, noting the decline of the rules-based system alongside new geopolitical alliances, which, despite increasing instability, offer opportunities for Africa to enhance its global governance presence. Loïc Boivin, Director of Alliance Française de Kampala, highlighted the cultural dimension of the conference, underscoring the importance of artistic performances in fostering dialogue and showcasing the vibrancy of African cultures.
The first panel examined Ethiopia’s regional ambitions and the geopolitics of maritime access in the Horn of Africa. Moderated by Oliyada Abera, Project Manager at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Foundation Office Ethiopia and African Union, the discussion focused on Ethiopia’s strategic pursuit of sea access in light of its dependence on external ports, particularly Djibouti. Nahusenay Belay, Political Science Lecturer at Mekelle University in Ethiopia contextualized the issue within historical, regional, and domestic dynamics, noting that 65% of Ethiopia is faced with internal conflicts which continue to constrain Ethiopia’s strategic ambitions. Rashid Abdi, Researcher/Analyst, Horn of Africa, Middle East, highlighted the broader geopolitical implications of Ethiopia’s maritime strategy, including the involvement of external actors such as Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, and the risks of escalating regional tensions. Beautah Mwanza Suba, Rtd Major of the Kenya Defence Forces and Associate at the Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS), further noted that access to the sea for landlocked states constitutes not only an economic necessity but also a strategic imperative, with the potential to reshape regional security dynamics. Christine Odera, Governance and Policy Strategist, Co-Chair of the Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace & Security and Council Member of the National Youth Service (NYS), emphasized the potential of youth participation in interstate negotiations on conflictual issues, and advocated for the creation of a maritime security framework in the Red Sea Region as a tool for an improvement of mutual trust between regional actors.
The second panel, moderated by Meron Elias, Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), examined Africa’s engagement with external powers in a shifting global order. The discussion highlighted the rise of transactional diplomacy and the increasing competition among global powers for influence in Africa. David Ngendo-Tshimba, Head of the Center for African Studies at Uganda Martyrs University, emphasized the need for African states to strategically disengage from exploitative partnerships while strengthening beneficial ones, advocating for greater regional integration. Edith Namutebi, head Regional Peace and Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Uganda, highlighted the opportunities presented by the shift towards a multipolar world order, noting the growing agency of African states and the potential for enhanced sovereignty. Prof. Solveig Richter, Professor for International Relations and Transnational Politics, Leipzig University, Germany noted that Africa is at the heart of global competition. Okello Moses Chrispus, Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), further underscored the centrality of Africa in global geopolitical competition, particularly in relation to natural resources, security partnerships, and technological change.
Our partners, the Embassy of France in Uganda and Makerere University, Alliance Française de Kampala set up the other panels that addressed the evolving nature of development assistance, the future of global financial governance, the crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and youth participation in public policy. The high-level academic discussions in the panels and the subsequent audience engagements were complemented by a cultural performance and Tracy Melon, a Uganda vocalist, organised by Alliance Française de Kampala.
In her closing remarks, Dr Hellen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Associate Professor, Department of Religion and Peace Studies at Makerere University, commended the conference for fostering both academic and practical dialogue on global issues, expressing optimism that the KGC would continue to evolve as a platform for shaping policy and advancing critical debates on Africa’s role in international affairs.
About this series
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, its educational institutions, centres and foreign offices, offer several thousand events on various subjects each year. We provide up to date and exclusive reports on selected conferences, events and symposia at www.kas.de. In addition to a summary of the contents, you can also find additional material such as pictures, speeches, videos or audio clips.