The uses and abuses of political ideas in Africa

You are all welcome for an upcoming one-day workshop on the 'Uses and abuses of political ideas in Africa', which will feature brilliant speakers from around the world.

The event takes place in person and online. All are welcome - and please share this with students and colleagues who may be interested.

The workshop will feature four panels on:

• The history of ideas: Memory, meaning and memorialization
• Weaponizing ideas: Coups, concealment and conflict
• Debating Democracy And Judging Justice
• Pan Africanism And Sovereignty Reconsidered

Keynote talk from Professor Abrahamsen on Pan-Africanism and the Geopolitics of Recognition

This event is organized as part of Professor Rita Abrahamsen’s activities as a Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Birmingham 2024-2025 and is therefore supported by the Leverhulme Trust. It is also supported by the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR), the International Development Department (IDD), and the Department for African Studies and Anthropology of the University of Birmingham, and the Midlands African Studies Hub (MASH).

Programme

Introduction and Welcome

Time: 9:50-10:00
Location: University campus, ARTS Building, Room: G13 & online

• Rita Abrahamsen & Nic Cheeseman

Panel 1: The history of ideas: Memory, meaning and memorialization

Time: 10:00-11:30
Location: University campus, ARTS Building, Room: G13 & online

1. Menna Soliman: Pan-Africanism In Egypt: Between A Full, Rich History And The State’s Empty Museum
2. Lyn Kouadio: The RDA At 40: Revisiting A Politics Of Archiving And Pan-Africanist Historiography
3. Gussai Sheikheldin: Recalling Earlier Pan-African Development Debates: Nyerere, South Commission, And Developmental States
4. Chair & Discussant: Line Engbo Gissel

Panel 2: Weaponizing ideas: Coups, concealment and conflict

Time: 11:30-1:00
Location: University campus, ARTS Building, Room: G13 & online

1. Kjetil Tronvoll: "Weaponising Pan-Africanism In Defence Of Nationalism: The Ethiopian #Nomore Campaign"
2. Anja Osei: Neo-Panafricanism And Patriotism As Coup-Legitimation Strategies: Empirical Insights From Gabon And Mali
3. Gulia Piccolino: Explaining Popular Support For Military Rule: The Rise Of Nationalist Populism In French-Speaking West Africa
4. Tekle Weldemichel: Pan-Africanism As A Political Shield: How The Narrative Concealed Genocide In Tigray
5. Chair & Discussant: Eloise Betrand

Lunch

Time 1:00-2:00

Panel 4: Keynote Address: Pan-Africanism and the Geopolitics of Recognition

Time: 2:00-3:00
Location: University Campus, Alan Walters Building, Room 112 (also known as SR3) & Online

1. Rita Abrahamsen
2. Chair: Nic Cheeseman

Panel 5: Debating Democracy And Judging Justice

Time: 3:00-4:25
Location: University Campus, Alan Walters Building, Room 112 (also known as SR3) & Online

1. Luke M & Dan Paget: Critically Reapproaching Populisms: The Ideologies Of Democracy Movements In Africa
2. Prolific Mataruse: Funding Struggles Versus Funding Projects: Insights From Democracy Assistance To Zimbabwean Activists
3. Laura Brunts: Africa’s Green Diplomacy: The Role Of National Interests And Pan-African Ideals In International Climate Negotiations
4. Eyob B. Gebremariam: Pan-Africanism And The Political Economy Orientation Of Continental Initiatives: A Critical Review Of AAF-SAP, NEPAD, Agenda 2063 And Afcfta.
5. Chair & Discussant: Ibrahim Barrie

Coffee Break

Time: 4:25-4:40

Panel 6: Pan Africanism And Sovereignty Reconsidered

Time: 4:40-6:10
Location: University Campus, Alan Walters Building, Room 112 (also known as SR3) & Online

1. Abdul Wando: Exploring Pan-Africanism Through Grassroots Borderland Interactions In The Lake Chad Basin Region
2. Aoife Mccullogh: The Use And Abuse Of Political Ideas In Africa: Sovereignty
3. David Mulugeta: Pan-Africanism And The Persistent Challenge Of Conceptual Ambiguity
4. Line Engbo Gissel: Sovereign Equality As A Pan-African Concept: Africa In Global Affairs
5. Chair & Discussant: Rita Abrahamsen

Dinner

All invited, at own cost