PNYX Ltd. - Africa Security Symposium

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Agenda

Speakers

Roundtables

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Conference Chair

Major General Arnold Fields, U.S. Marine Corps (RET)
Chairman, NAPA Standing Panel on International Affairs
National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA)

Major General Arnold Fields is a Fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) in Washington, DC. He is also a Special Government Employee and consultant with the U.S. Department of Defense. He retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2004 at which time he was serving as Deputy Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces in Europe and Africa. Previous military assignments included Commanding General of all Marine Corps Bases in Hawaii; Deputy Commander of Third Marine Expeditionary Force; Commander of U.S. Central Command’s Forward Headquarters; Inspector General of U.S. Central Command; Director of the Headquarters Marine Corps Staff at the Pentagon; Commanding Officer of all Marine Corps Embassy Security Guards in North Africa and the Middle East; and Commander of a motorized infantry battalion in combat during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Post retirement civilian positions included Chief of Staff of the Iraq Reconstruction and Management Office at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad; Deputy Director of the Department of Defense Africa Center for Strategic Studies; and Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) responsible for oversight of over $60Bn appropriated for Afghanistan’s reconstruction.

Keynote Speakers

Rt Hon. Ali Mohamed Gedi
Former Prime Minister
Government of Somalia

Rt Hon. Ali Mohamed Gedi was born in Mogadishu on October 2, 1952. He previously served as Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia (2004-2007), whereby he undertook the hard task to revive an administration and governance (restoration of law and order, security, social services, economic recovery, public administration, reconciliation and humanitarian interventions) from scratch. Prior to this, Rt Hon. Gedi spent 9 years in the humanitarian and development sectors, stationed in Nairobi with field activities all over Somalia where he worked in European Commission funded projects and later, joined the African Union/Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU/IBAR). More recently, Rt Hon. Gedi serves the Government of Somalia as a Political Advisor and consultant on the protracted Somalia Crisis, while compiling experiences and lessons learnt on the politics, security, peace and reconciliation as well as democratization in Somalia and throughout the Region. Rt Hon. Gedi holds a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Research on Veterinary Surgical Pathology from the University of Pisa (Italy, 1980-1983).

Dr. Admore Kambudzi
Ag. Director of Peace & Security
African Union Commission (AUC); Committee of Intelligence & Security Service of Africa (CISSA)

Khalid Azmi
Director of the Department of Counterterrorism
Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Speakers

Farah Abdulsamed
Senior Political Advisor, Conflict & Humanitarian Affairs
IGAD Peace & Security Division (PSD)

Farah Abdulsamed is senior expert on international aid policy with over 20 years’ of research and field experience. His recent work focused on international aid architecture & conflict resolution, particularly in the fragile States' multilateral aid systems with particular perspective on HoA’s different aid modalities. He is currently a Senior Advisor – for political conflict and Humanitarian affairs, were he advises IGAD for overall regional peace and security & serves as resource person. Prior to that he led institutional capacity development in the secretariat and transformed systems and programmes. Prior to joining to IGAD, he was ICRC delegate in different countries with active armed conflicts and advised international norms of engagements, conflict management and dialogue processes. Worked with INGO’s like Save the Children and Oxfam, UN and UK’s SU conflict expert pools.

James Nyirenda
Regional Security Consultant
African Development Bank (AfDB)

James Jombole Nyirenda is an international accredited Security and Safety Specialist qualified in investigation, Ant-Money Laundering, Physical and Electronic Security. He served in the Malawi Armed Forces for 16 years as an officer during peace and war times. Thereafter, he joined the Central Bank of Malawi as Chief of Security and was instrumental in revamping the physical and electronic security for the Headquarters in Lilongwe and Branches in Blantyre and Mzuzu. After working for the Reserve Bank for 14 years, James left for the Kayelekera Uranium Mine as Security Superintendent and was responsible for putting the security structures in place. In 2012, he joined the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a Regional Security Consultant and was responsible for relocating the AfDB Regional Office to new premises in Centurion and managed the security and safety for AfDB operations in Southern Africa. At present he is in Nairobi, Kenya supporting AfDB operations in East Africa with oversight over Somalia.

Pieter Goosen
International Collaboration & Business Development Manager,DPSS International Business Development
CSIR

Pieter Goosen, [M.Eng (Computer), MBA], is responsible for international business development in South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), largely in the defence and security R&D and engineering domains. As secretariat to the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) joint defence working group on defence science, engineering and technology, Pieter facilitated the development of a model of the mechanisms influencing collaboration and proposed actions to improve the mechanisms via bi- and tri- party projects using grounded theory research. His further technical background is in the development of custom, integrative radar test and evaluation facilities including systems and software for distributed hardware-in-the-loop simulators used internationally.

Brig. Albert Kendagor
Head of Peace Operations Department
EASF Secretariat

Brigadier Albert Kiprop Kendagor was born 2/11/1962. After attending Primary and Tertiary Schools, he was enlisted as a cadet officer in 1983. He was commissioned one year later and posted to an infantry Regiment. His early career growth and appointments were regimental and between 2002 and 2007, he was a battalion commander. There after he was appointed to the Commandant Recruits Training School and Kenya Cadet Military Academy. He has served in two peacekeeping missions, in Former Republic of Yugoslavia and in South Sudan. He is currently on Secondment to Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) as the Head Peace Operation Department. Brigadier Kendagor has a Bachelor’s Degree in Security Management, a Master’s Degree in Business Admiration, and a Master’s of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy. Currently he is pursuing a PhD in Strategic Human Resource Management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology (JKUAT).

Steven Patrick Shaulis (Panel Chair)
Executive Director
CADG Engineering Pte Ltd

Steven Shaulis is an international business executive who has specialized in economic development, infrastructure, engineering and aviation projects for more than 20 years. In 2002 Steve co-founded Central Asian Development Group (CADG) to assist with reconstruction, infrastructure and development initiatives following the war in Afghanistan. As the Group Executive Director with oversight on all operations of the company, Steve’s extensive experience in remote, austere and post conflict locations has lead the growth of CADG’s geographic footprint to become a key provider of services for clients across Central Asia and Africa.

Hon. Ambrose Dery
Minister
Ghanaian Ministry of Interior

Honourable Ambrose Dery is 61 years, a lawyer. He graduated from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1980, with an LLB (Hons) and was called to the Bar in 1982. He was deputy Attorney General under President Kufuor from 2003 to 2004, and then appointed Upper West Regional Minister from 2005 to 2007. He was also a Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice from 2007 to 2008, and became Member of Parliament for Lawra/Nandom from 2009 to 2013. Within the period 2009 to 2013, he was the Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament, a Member of the Pan African Parliament, leader of the Pan African Parliament’s Observer Mission to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections of Namibian November 2009, and a leader of the Pan African Parliament fact finding mission to La Cote d’Ivoire. He is the Member of Parliament for Nandom, and is married with one child.

Neil Roberts
Regional Senior Immigration & Border Management Specialist
International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Neil Roberts is an experienced immigration professional with over 25 years’ experience in international migration environments. He has worked in areas of border security, migration policy, refugee reintegration, visa policy and operation, training programme design and implementation and host government liaison. Since he started work with the UK Immigration Service in 1992, he has worked in various hostile and difficult environments, including Afghanistan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Albania and China. He is currently IOM’s Senior Regional Thematic Specialist for Immigration and Border Management in East Africa and the Horn, working closely with host governments to develop sound domestic migration and border management policies.

Brig. Gen. George M. Mshamba
Commander - Force Intervention Brigade
UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

Brigadier General George Mudika Mshamba is a Tanzanian married with four children. He joined the Tanzania Peoples Defense Force (TPDF) as an Officer Cadet on 16 Mar 1981. After being commissioned to the Rank of Second Lieutenant on 11 April 1983, he was posted to Tanzania Military Academy as an Infantry Platoon Commander of Academy Demonstration Company. Before being appointed MONUSCO's Commander Force Intervention Brigade, on 13 March, 2017, he held several appointments in the TPDF such as Commandant - Tanzania School of Artillery, Brigade Commander -Tanzania Northern Zone, Commander Composite Regiment etc. As Commander, MONUSCO Force Intervention Bde (FIB), he is responsible for defining Brigade mission tasks, planning , organization, directing Brigade concept of operations, assigning missions, guiding actions of staff and subordinate commanders, getting personally involved during operations and other tasks, providing guidance & performance for the subordinates, ensuring that standards are met, managing all functions of the Brigade, conducting inspections, reviewing of work / personal assets for maximum utilization of resources and ensuring enforcement and compliance of the United Nations policies by all Brigade Personnel.

Andrew Little (Panel Chair)
Chief Strategy Officer
Aero-Pioneer Group

Aero-Pioneer Group's CSO has built his career for the past 30 years in aviation management and business development. He started as a commercial pilot in Canada and moved to Africa in 1998. Since then, he has operated extensively in various countries throughout Africa. His deep experience as a hands-on executive operator, combined with a deep understanding of Africa, makes him uniquely qualified to run Aero-Pioneer Group's growth strategy. In his early career, after graduating from Aviation Management College in Canada, he began work as a commercial pilot in Canada. In 1998, he moved to Africa and into business development, spending much of his time traveling throughout East Africa ensuring operational integrity and leveraging his extensive local network for new business opportunities. He has 14,000 hours of flight time in some of the world’s most challenging operational conditions. His extensive hands-on aviation experience, African network and local knowledge are critical to Aero-Pioneer’s success.

Cdr Stefan Mayer
Assistant Chief of Staff for Future Operations
EUNAVFOR

Cdr Stefan Mayer is currently Assistant Chief of Staff for Future Operations in the EUNAVFOR Somalia OHQ in Northwood, an EU-mission focussed on Protecting World Food Program Ships around the Horn of Africa as well as countering piracy. Cdr Mayer is a naval officer in the German Navy and has a background of more than 15 years of experience in maritime operations. He has held numerous military leadership positions within the German Navy, being also a Commanding Officer of a submarine from 2011 to 2013. This was followed by a tour to the NATO HQ in Brussels and subsequently followed by a tour as Deputy Squadron Commander of the German Submarine Squadron 1. He is a German Federal Armed Forces University graduate in Business Administration and Organisation.

CDR Brian Young
Deputy Director of Africa Engagement N52
U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Naval Forces Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet

CDR Brian Young recently accepted the position of acting Deputy Director and Security Force Assistance Lead for the Africa Engagements Group at US Naval Forces Europe, Naval Forces Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy. He is a career submariner and has spent the last 12 years working in the area of strategic deterrence. CDR Young earned a Master of Science degree in Astronautical Engineering in 2005 when he graduated from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Additionally, he is a 2015 graduate of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Lt Col Paul "Shove" Gilby
Chief of Staff
International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC)

After 2 years in the ranks, Lt Col Gilby was commissioned in 1991 into the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, where he has served in a host of regimental appointments from Rifle Platoon Commander to Company Commander, before returning in Command. Notably, he is the complete Mercian Officer having served with all 4 Mercian Bns. Col Gilby has completed 15 Operational tours between Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Cyprus and Afghanistan; including 2 tours with the ICTY in Bosnia and Kosovo. Notably he has been awarded 5 Operational honours and awards for his service through these tours. He has served two tours as a Company Commander, initially in the Armoured Infantry role with 1 Staffords deploying on Op PALENTINE (Kosovo) where he established and ran the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force for 12 Mech Bde. His external staff appointments have included SO2 O&D Commitments HQ LAND and SO2 J2 Plans & CT at PJHQ where he deployed extensively across Africa on Op CONTEST, Op MONOGRAM, the Balkans on Op AGRICOLA & PALENTINE, Kuwait on Op BROCKDALE and Afghanistan on Op HERRICK. Lt Col Gilby was selected for promotion while at PJHQ, his initial SO1 appointment was SO1 G7 Trg at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst prior to taking command of 2 Mercian in Belfast on 01 Aug 2012.

Nick Savage
CIED Advisor
British Peace Support Team (East Africa) (BPST(EA))

Troy A. Smith (Panel Chair)
Business Development Executive
Raytheon Blackbird Tecnologies

Mr. Troy A. Smith is currently a Business Development Executive at Raytheon Blackbird Technologies a special mission business unit within the Intelligence, Information and Services Division of Raytheon Corporation. Raytheon Corporation is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. Mr. Smith has held numerous leadership positions in the military and the private sector with over 30 years’ leadership experience in the U.S. Army and security and defense industry. He has been involved with military and contingency operations at the tactical, operational, and strategic level; security and training services; Corporate Strategy; and International Business Development and Sales. Mr. Smith retired from the United States Army as a Colonel in 2012 having proudly served his country for 26 years, including three combat tours to Iraq. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance and a Masters in National Security Strategy.

Hon. Col. Charles Okello-Engola
Minister of State for Defence & Veteran In-charge of General Duties
Ugandan Ministry of Defence & Veteran Affairs

Hon. Col. Charles Okello-Engola is married and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies (2008-2010), and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration & Management (2011-2013). Colonel Okello-Engola is a Ugandan by nationality, born on December 10, 1958. He began his Military career as an Intelligence Officer of the 13 Infantry Battalion in 1982. He later served in many capacities that included among others; in 2005 he was appointed as a Brigade Commander of Artillery/Air Defence, thereafter, he was in charge of the Artillery/Air Defence School. Col. Charles Okello has also served in the capacity of Artillery & Air Defence, Operations & Training Officer. He was also appointed the Commander of the 1st Division Artillery and Air Defence. Worth noting is that Hon. Col. Charles Okello had also served in other capacities that included being a Sector & Brigade Commander – 501 Brigade. On leaving the Forces, Col. Okello-Engola joined electoral politics where he was elected as the District Chairman (Apac in 2006 and Oyam, 2007-2016). In June 2016, Col. Okello-Engola contested for a Parliamentary seat which he won and was appointed Minister of State for Defence by the President of the Republic of Uganda and Commander-In-Chief of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) H.E. General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

MG Salihu Zaway Uba
Force Commander
United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

Major General Uba brings to this position 32 years of national and international military service. Prior to his appointment by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to serve as the Force Commander for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), Major General Uba served as the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Center from 2013 to 2014. Between 2012 and 2013, he served as the Director of the Veterans’ Affairs Department in the Nigerian Ministry of Defence. Major General Uba has also held a number of high-level positions within United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. He previously served UNMIL as Sector Commander from 2010 to 2012, and as Company Commander in the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) from 1992 to 1993. Major General Uba has master’s degrees in strategic studies, business administration, and peace and conflict from the University of Ibadan, Imo State University, and the National Open University, respectively, in Nigeria. He is also a graduate of the War College, Nigeria. Born in 1959, he is married and has three children.

John C. Dorrance
Head Intelligence Production
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) HQ

Mr. Dorrance currently serves as the Head of NATO HQ's Intelligence Unit (IU), tasked to provide intelligence-based assessments to inform the NAC and other key decision-makers. The IU is the joint civilian and military unit that includes staff from the Alliance’s intelligence and security services, as well as active-duty military officers. Prior to the his NATO assignment, Mr. Dorrance was Chief of a U.S. Government Intelligence Operation where he managed a unit with approximately 200 staff, some deployed to war-zones. Prior to that he served as an Analytical Intelligence Manager, where he stood up, devised the organizational processes for, and managed a new analytical unit. The Unit’s products included Presidential Briefs, and long and short form analyses on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism. With these and his previous intelligence community assignments, Mr Dorrance has over 17 years of managerial, analytical and operational experience in the fields of counter-terrorism, weapons proliferation, and collection operations. Before his tours in the intelligence community, Mr. Dorrance served as a US Naval officer and tactical carrier pilot, deployed to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. During this period, Mr. Dorrance managed the US Navy’s Tomahawk Mission Planning center, responsible for planning operational cruise missile missions worldwide.

Sam Rabin (Panel Chair)
Vice President - Sales & Business Development Africa
Verint

Mr. Rabin has a BSC in Mathematics and Computer Sciences, from the Jerusalem University, Israel. He has over 30 years of experience in Security and Intelligence markets, working for leading Hi-Tech companies such as Tadiran, ECI, Adanet and more. For the past 10 years, Mr. Rabin has headed Africa activities of Verint Systems – a leading Communications and Cyber Intelligence Solutions Company.

Brig. Gen. Abdalla Abdalla Mohamed
Deputy Director General
Somalia National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA)

Mr. Abdallah has been working across Somalia in the field of intelligence and counterterrorism for more than 10 years. During that time, he has served as the Head of Counter Piracy Unit, Head of Investigations, and Director General Assistant in counterterrorism at the National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) of the Federal Government of Somalia. Since 2013, he has served as the Deputy Director of NISA. Mr. Abdallah's specialization is forensic science, where he studied Deportment of Foresic Biology (forensic DNA) at the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia.

Raymond Kitevu
Conflict Early Warning Expert
COMESA Secretariat

Raymond Kitevu is the Conflict Early Warning Expert of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Secretariat which has its headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia. His responsibilities include coordinating the COMESA Conflict Early Warning Mechanism (COMWARN) conflict prevention initiatives towards addressing and resolving the diverse conflicts affecting the COMESA Sub-region in collaboration with the African Union, other Regional Economic Communities, NGOs, civil society, governmental institutions, international organizations and other relevant stakeholders. Before joining COMESA in 2014, Mr. Kitevu had over fifteen years of professional experience working in the field of peace and security with national and international NGOs in Kenya and Eastern Africa, as well as other institutions including IGAD, UNDP, and UN agencies.

Gedion Kimilu
Head of Regional Bureau
INTERPOL Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa

Mr. Kimilu serves as the Head of INTERPOL's Regional Bureau for Eastern Africa (Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Seychelles, Republic of Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda), where he has managed major operations against crimes since October 2016. Formerly the Commandant of the DCI Training School, Kenya (2010-2012), Deputy Director of Criminal Investigations, Kenya (2012-2015), seconded to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government (2015-2016), and with a career-high rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General within the Kenya National Police Service, Mr. Kimilu joined the Police in 1989. He also holds a Master of Arts in Criminology from the University of Nairobi.

Travis Heneveld (Panel Chair)
Director - United Nations & International Accounts
Motorola Solutions

As United Nations' Account Director, Travis Heneveld oversees the delivery of business critical communication solutions to peacekeeping, emergency response and development agencies worldwide. Prior to joining Motorola's Europe, Middle East and Africa Strategy team in 2003, Travis spent several years as a Strategy Consultant driving new product & marketing initiatives for Fortune 100 companies such as Levi's, United Airlines, IKEA and Ericsson. A global citizen with living experiences in Europe and Asia, Travis is currently based in Nairobi. He is a BA graduate of Pomona College and holds an International MBA from the University of South Carolina.

Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd)
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) Secretariat

Brig Gen Daniel Kwadjo Frimpong (Retired), Ghana, joined the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA) Secretariat on 27 March 2017, as the Association’s third Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the APSTA Secretariat with effect from 2 May 2017. He brings in varied experiences in training, diplomacy and research. Before joining APSTA, Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd) was teaching at the University of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). He retired from the Ghana Armed Forces in 2014 as the Deputy Commandant of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC). His training and teaching background saw him command the Ghana Military Academy (GMA) from 1998-02 and lecture as a Directing Staff in Command & Staff Colleges in Ghana and Nigeria from 1991-98. He has also taught at the African Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence University, Washington DC, USA. Brig Gen Dan Frimpong’s 43-year military career was interspersed with diplomatic postings. Between 2002-06, he served as Ghana’s first Military Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the UN, New York, USA. He also served in Uganda from 2008-09 as the Senior Military Adviser to HE Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, and Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the UN for the Lord’s Resistance Army-Affected Areas of Uganda, DRC, CAR and South Sudan. Brig Gen Dan Frimpong’s focus is Conflict Management in Africa and Leadership. Gen Frimpong holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada (1988) and a BA (Honours) degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Ghana (1982).

Emma Birikorang
Deputy Director - Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC)

Emma Birikorang is the Deputy Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC). Prior to this appointment, she was the Programme Head for the Peace Support Operations Programme She is currently undertaking research on African Peace and Security Mechanisms and ECOWAS/AU regional peacekeeping frameworks. She also facilitates training modules on Security Sector Reform, Protection of Civilians in Armed conflict, Risk Assessment and Conflict Vulnerability and Multi-Dimensional Peace Support Operations. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Brig. Gen. Kashif Naveed Abbasi
Force Chief of Staff
African Union-United Nations Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)

Brigadier General Kashif Naveed Abbasi is presently serving as Force Chief of Staff in UNAMID since September 2016. The General officer was commissioned in the Pakistan Army, in March 1991, in the corps of Infantry and possesses vast experience of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. Brigadier General is a Graduate of the Command and Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan and National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan. He holds Master Degree National Security and Warfare Studies. Apart from undergoing various inland courses, the General officer has undergone Counter Terrorism Course from USA and Operational Law Course from Australia. The General has also the experience of serving in United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH/UNTMIH) in year 1997/ 98.

Phillip J. Heyl (Panel Chair)
Principal
The Heyl Group

Phillip J. Heyl, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (ret.) is the principal at The Heyl Group, an air and maritime security consulting firm focused on Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Clients include private companies, governments, and international organizations. As Chief of the Air and Maritime programs in the Strategy, Plans and Programs Directorate at U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Stuttgart, Germany, he was responsible for strategic development, oversight, and execution of air and maritime security programs on the continent of Africa. Currently, he is engaged in projects to build maritime security governance capacity in Africa at the regional and the national level. In this role, he has assisted international organizations and partners to help develop strategic plans and security programs that leverage emerging technologies.

Brig. Gen. Abdirashid Aden Hersi
Commandant of General Kahiye Police Academy
Somali National Police Force; Ministry of Internal Security

Brig. Gen. Abdirashid Aden Hersi is the Commandant of General Kahiye Police Academy, of the Somali National Police Force within the Ministry of Internal Security. He joined the Somali Police Force in 1976 as a Cadet Police Officer. Brig. Gen. Hersi has worked across many different Somali Police Units and Departments, having also attended various training courses in many countries such as Germany, Italy, and the United States. During his career, Brig. Gen. Hersi has spent time as a police pilot, with his most previous position being as Head of Interpol in Mogadishu.

Pankaj Joshi
Military Planning Officer
United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU)

Lt Col Pankaj Joshi was commissioned into the Artillery Branch of the Indian Army in June 2000. He has more than 16 years of military career, wherein he has tenanted important staff, instructors and command appointments. In his previous appointment as Chief Operations Officer of an Independent Armoured Formation, he was responsible for planning, organizing & conduct of operations at the theatre level. He has had a previous UN exposure in UNMIS, wherein he also witnessed the Referendum in Sudan. He is currently serving as Military Planning Officer in the Operational Planning and Advisory Section of the UNOAU and is dealing with all the current African Union Peace Support Operations including African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram and Regional Cooperation Initiative for the Elimination of the Lord’s Resistance Army (RCI-LRA).

Col Jean Marie Barumpishe
Chief of Staff Military Component
EASF Secretariat

Colonel Jean Marie Barumpishe is a Burundi senior officer, 48 years old promoted to the rank of Colonel eleven years ago. He is married. He holds a bachelor degree in Economics at Burundi National University. Col Barumpishe currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Head of the Military in Eastern Africa Standby Force EASF) since September 2016. From April 2015 up to September 2016, he was heading the Military Cooperation Bureau in the Ministry of National Defence & War Veterans in Burundi. He is in charge of all cooperation matters with partners/organizations including EASF. Before that appointment, he was a Military Assistant to AMISOM Force Commander from October 2013 to December 2014. Prior to that peacekeeping experience, he was deeply involved in the Burundi Defence Review activities by participating in all researches, all workshops; drafting Burundi Defence Policy, Defence White Paper and Defence Transformation Plan. Prior to that, he was appointed for 1 year and 5 months as Deputy Chief Operations Officer in Burundi National Defence Forces (BNDF) HQs.

Koos Joubert
Technical Adviser
DCD Protected Mobility

Presently Koos is the Technical Adviser to DCD Protected Mobility on Route Clearance Applications and Mine Protected Vehicles. He joined Armscor (Defence Acquisition Agency) in 1971 and studied Mechanical Engineering and served for 42 years at Armscor where he was involved in the design, development and testing of mine protected vehicles and managed the Landward Defence Programmes on behalf of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Koos is also a retired Citizen Force Officer and served operationally in the Namibia/Angola Border War. Koos did several post graduate courses which included; Systems Engineering, Logistic Engineering, Programme Management (University of Pretoria), Fluid of Mechanics, Strain Gauge Course (University of Stellenbosch0, Explosives Course (SANDF), Armour Development Course (Shriven ham -UK) and participated in the Executive National Security Programme: ENSP 04/01 Jan – June 2001.

Jordan Rankin
Senior Expert for African Affairs
Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA); Middle East/Africa Regional Center (MARC)

Jordan Rankin has served as the Defense Intelligence Agency’s senior expert for African affairs since June 2016. As such, Mr. Rankin oversees analytical services for senior U.S. Department of Defense policy makers and warfighters, including the secretary of defense and the commander of U.S. Africa Command. Mr. Rankin previously served as DIA’s deputy defense intelligence officer for sub-Saharan Africa, responsible for integrating DIA’s analysis within the U.S. intelligence community. Mr. Rankin’s career included duty with the Joint Chief of Staff, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. 6th Fleet.