Date: Friday, 03 March 2023 | Time: 03:00pm

Zoom Online (Register Here)

1. Context

The diaspora has very often been viewed by some regimes in Africa as a threat. This feeling of hostility dates back to the period of democratic transitions when the diaspora was known to support nationalist movements and opposition political parties. Since then, there has been a rift between the diaspora and the established regimes. Denying the diaspora, the right to vote based on the rejection of dual nationality, the diaspora has long been excluded from the democratic life of the country of origin and reclined to simple bank transfers. With the advent of the internet, a new space for the affirmation of a reinvented citizenship, the diaspora seems to have regained vitality. Through calls for mobilization via “direct” on social networks, formal discussion forums, and more or less controversial actions against certain personalities and institutions of the country of origin abroad, this diaspora intends to instill a new dynamic and play a major role in redefining the democratic debate in their country of origin.

2. Objective of the dialogue

The objective of this public dialogue is to discuss the place and especially the capacity of the African diaspora to influence the construction of the democratic process in Africa. It is a matter of questioning its processes and methods of mobilization, the effectiveness, and the limits of its action in the dynamics of the evolution and development of African societies.

3. Participants

This public dialogue is organized by the Governance and Democracy Division of the Nkafu Policy Institute think tank. It is open to the general public, without any restrictions.

4. Panelists

– Prof. Mireille Manga Edimo, Executive Member of the International Public Policy Association (IPPA), Convenor of the African Public Policy Network, Associate Professor of Political Science at the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon (IRIC), University of Yaounde II

– Prof. Mary Boatemaa Setrana, Director of the Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana (UG), Legon

– Dr. Darus Keunang, Researcher, a specialist in diaspora issues

Moderator : Prof. Ngo Tong Chantal, Research Associate in Governance and Democracy, Nkafu Policy Institute

5. Foundation contact For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or Tel: ( 237) 22 31 15 84 / 653 78 25 81 / 698 64 55 24.