Public lecture "Preventing and countering violent extremism: insights from Southern Africa"

On 5 February, from 16:15 to 17:45, Anthoni Van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies at the University of South Africa, will give a public lecture „Preventing and countering violent extremism: insights from Southern Africa“ in room 215 at Lossi 36 and in Zoom.

Africa is experiencing an upsurge in violent extremism, particularly in the Sahel region. In Southern Africa, several countries have experienced attacks by extremist groups, with events in Cabo Delgado province in northern Mozambique making international headlines. The Southern African Development Community has been called on to support the Mozambican government and has deployed a standby force to the area. Although the military intervention assists in limiting violent attacks, it cannot bring lasting peace. This would require addressing the complex political, economic and social factors that have created a breeding ground for violent extremism. This lecture will examine these factors, compare African and European responses to preventing and countering violent extremism, and conclude with a forward-looking set of recommendations for African decision-makers relating to this critical dimension of ‘silencing the guns’.

Professor Anthoni van Nieuwkerk joined the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at the University of South Africa in April 2022 as professor of international and diplomacy studies. In 2015, the South African government appointed him to the South African Council on International Relations and in 2018, the president appointed him as a member of the High-level Review Panel into Intelligence. In 2021, he produced a regional threat analysis for the Southern African Development Community (SADC), resulting in a series of policy refinements.

Anthoni is a skilled institutional architect and experienced academic manager, facilitator, and evaluator. He publishes widely on African foreign and security policy, has participated in several scenarios exercises, and has broad experience with advising policymakers and practitioners in Southern Africa and further afield.