Washington, D.C. — COVID-19 has exacerbated social injustices, militarized policing, and fueled disinformation and political exploitation around the world. How have these dynamics played out in the Horn of Africa amidst political transitions, changing security priorities, and within diverse communities? To what extent have violent extremist groups benefited or not from the increased restrictions and new vulnerabilities?
On December 8, Dexis will chair a panel addressing these questions and COVID-19’s impact on citizen security and violent extremism in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia at the annual Alliance for Peacebuilding PeaceCon 2020 to be held December 7-9, 2020. Dexis is pleased to join this year’s “Pandemics, Peace, and Justice: Shaping What Comes Next” conference, which will virtually convene hundreds of policymakers, activists, peacebuilders, and a cross section of peace and security actors around the world to address ways to shape a more just, secure, and peaceful future in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moderated by Dexis’ Senior Director Bronwen Morrison, panelists include Keith Newcomer, Director of Information and Analysis at Valar Frontier Solutions; Martine Zeuthen, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) National Security Studies program; Hodan Hassan, Executive Director of Kulan Consulting; and Dr. Hussein Kassim, Security Bureau Chief for the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.
Drawing on recent first-hand reports from Kenya’s Lamu and Garissa counties, panelists will debate to what extent COVID-19 has changed risk factors, mitigation measures, and extremist groups’ recruitment tactics and longer-term peace and stability prospects. In response to these findings, they will discuss similarities and differences in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia more broadly. They will also share potential opportunities for using local systems approaches to address challenges and build longer-term resiliency in the face of COVID-19, ongoing political transitions, and extremism.
To attend the virtual panel, click here. Please note you must register to attend sessions at PeaceCon.
About Dexis Consulting Group
Dexis is a global professional services firm focused on solving pressing challenges in complex environments, paving the way for a more resilient, secure, and prosperous world. Established in 2001, the firm supports global stability objectives through management services of civilian security and prosperity programs.
For media inquiries, contact: Kerry Fogarty at kfogarty@dexisonline.com.
Photo by Eric Lafforgue / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP
