The Michael S. Ansari Africa Center hosted a panel discussion, “Ripples Across the Sands: The Impact of the Fall of Gaddafi on Security in the Maghreb and Sahel,” featuring remarks by Geoff D. Porter, President, North Africa Risk Consulting, Inc.; Fadel Lamen, President, American Libyan Council; Roger J. Peña, Senior Legislative Assistant for Defense and Foreign Affairs, Office of US Senator Kay Hagan; and Edward M. Gabriel, former US Ambassador to Morocco.
While the death of Muammar Gaddafi and the virtual collapse of his regime forces have freed Libyans from more than four decades of tyranny, it has also complicated the security situation for their neighbors in the Maghreb and Sahel. The panelists gave a briefing on the current security situation followed by a discussion that focused on dynamics within the new Libyan government and their implications for regional stability; efforts to encourage regional collaboration on political, security, and economic issues; and threats from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Boko Haram, the Polisario Front, and other armed non-state actors. Moderated by J. Peter Pham, director of the Ansari Center, the conversation concluded with a lively debate on what role the United States can and should play in this region.
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Media Mentions
- Peril in North Africa from Al Qaeda and Western Sahara Separatists – Morocco Board News Service
- Un expert américain appelle à mettre à nu les liens de plus en plus avérés entre AQMI et le Polisario – Maghreb Arabe Presse
- Rapt d’Occidentaux à Tindouf : Des participants à une rencontre à Washington soulignent “l’urgence” de trouver un règlement à la question du Sahara – Maghreb Arabe Presse
- Problems and Possibilities in Post-Gadhafi Libya– Epoch Times