The Horn of Africa: Crisis, Conflict, and Opportunity

The Horn of Africa continues to be profoundly marked by political instability, conflict, and humanitarian crises. As the war in Sudan continues through its fourth year, longstanding tensions across the region intersect with geopolitical rivalries, against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East, and the increasing relevance of the Red Sea to global trade and European security and economic interests. The EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Dr. Annette Weber, will address these complex dynamics and the prospects for peace, security, and economic development in the Horn, a region at the centre of shifting global alliances. Dr. Annette Weber was appointed as the EU Special Representative to the Horn of Africa in July 2021. With more than 25 years of experience in the regions, she is a leading expert on the Horn of Africa. She was engaged in mediation in Sudan and Ethiopia as Senior Advisor for the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (2019-2021). EUSR Weber has also lectured as a Professor of Conflict Studies, International Relations, and African International Relations at various universities in Germany, Austria, and Spain. From 2010-2012, she worked as a consultant in residence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She has published extensively on peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea arena. This lecture is part of the Development Matters series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid.