On Monday, June 20, the Africa Center hosted Lanny Davis, co-founder and partner at Trident DMG, Democratic strategist, and former White House special counsel to President Bill Clinton, for a roundtable discussion with African ambassadors on the 2016 US presidential election.

Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham welcomed attendees, introduced Davis, and, following Davis’ remarks, moderated the discussion. Davis was joined by Joshua Galper, co-founder and partner at Trident DMG; Jared Genser, managing director of Perseus Strategies; and Eleanor McManus, co-founder and partner at Trident DMG.

In his remarks, Davis outlined how African countries can best navigate the American presidential election process. The ensuing discussion focused on how African ambassadors should effectively engage with the presidential candidates’ policy teams and how, following the election, African countries should work with an incoming American administration.

Participants at the roundtable included His Excellency Ernest Ndabashinze, ambassador of the Republic of Burundi; His Excellency José Luis Rocha, ambassador of the Republic of Cabo Verde; His Excellency Daouda Diabaté, ambassador of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire;  His Excellency Yasser Reda, ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Necton Darlington Mhura, ambassador of the Republic of Malawi; His Excellency Tiéna Coulibaly, ambassador of the Republic of Mali; His Excellency Mohamedoun Daddah, ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; His Excellency Sooroodjev Phokeer, ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius; His Excellency Rachad Bouhlal, ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco; His Excellency Ahmed Isse Awad, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia; His Excellency Wilson Masilingi, ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania; Ambassador Maowia Khalid Mohammed, chargé d’affaires, a.i., of the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan; Mr. Seydou Sinka, chargé d’affaires, a.i., of the Embassy of Burkina Faso; Mr. Skido Achulo, chargé d’affaires, a.i., of the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana; and Mrs. Velotiana Raobelina, chargé d’affaires, a.i., of the Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar.