---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Heidi-Jane Esakov <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Subject: Fwd: Fwd: AMEC conference: Call for papers
To: [log in to unmask]


BRIEF DESCRIPTION

*Call for Papers: ‘In whose interests? Exploring Middle East involvement
in Africa’*

The Afro-Middle East Centre (AMEC) will convene an international
conference from 5 to 6 November 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, to examine
the nature and extent of the penetration of Middle Eastern states into
Africa. Potential presenters are invited to submit abstracts for
consideration.

*Abstract closing date: *15 September 2013

*Decision date:* 22 September 2013

*Full paper Submission Date: *28 October 2013

======


DETAILED DESCRIPTION

About the conference

The conference is framed within Africa’s history of colonialism and of
African states and non-state actors being used as proxies on an
African battlefield during the Cold War. It will explore the nature of
the relationship that exists between both that of state and non-state
actors on the continent and the Middle East. Aside from responding to
the paucity in research around the penetration of the Middle East into
Africa, and what this means for the continent, the conference further
looks to explore ways of enhancing balanced and mutually beneficial
relations between Africa and the Middle East region.


Africa’s colonial past and the implications of a postcolonial world
defined by neoimperialism and neoliberalism continue to manifest in
the socioeconomic reality of the majority of Africans. The recent
assertiveness of Africa on the global stage, growing markets, diverse
geography, geostrategic importance, and vast natural resources
continue to attract the attention of global powers. China, for
example, in its unquenchable quest for resources and global partners,
turned its focus on Africa, and has succeeded in becoming the
continent’s largest trading partner. The past three decades have,
however, also seen the entry of new players into Africa, such as India
and Brazil. Some of these states share experiential colonial histories
as well as similar development experiences and challenges with
countries on the continent. This interaction has facilitated the
emergence of South coalition blocs such as the India, Brazil, South
Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, to promote cooperation amongst these
states.


In a postcolonial era, however, the attention that Africa attracts is
uneven, sometimes paternalistic, and often under the guise of
development, aid and humanitarian assistance. This has often seen the
evolution of asymmetrical political and economic relations between
African states and these external powers.


Of course, Africa is not a singular monolithic and homogeneous entity.
On the whole, however, it has often been the disadvantaged partner in
exploitative relationships.


Scope:

Middle East in Africa

Apart from states that are well-known for their involvement in Africa,
such as the USA, China, Brazil and India, the continent has also been
targeted by a number of states whose role has garnered relatively
little attention. These include states from the Middle East whose
strategic involvement in, and outreach to, Africa range from extending
their sphere of influence to pursuing ideological interests, and
includes economic, business, political, military and religious
relations. In particular, Israel, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar,
and other Gulf states have set their sights on Africa. Certain
non-state actors from the Middle East have also looked to Africa to
export their ideologies. This manifests in diverse forms: from
religious and ideological education projects to involvement in civil
or interstate conflict, such as in the Sahel region and Somalia.


Relations between the Middle East and Africa have a long history going
back centuries. This has seen beneficial as well exploitative
exchanges for Africa. Due to their geographical, cultural and
religious proximity to Africa, there is a centuries-old flow of
people, ideologies, and sociopolitical undercurrents from countries in
the Middle East into Africa, particularly North Africa, East Africa
and the Sahel region.


The objectives of the various Middle Eastern countries involved in
Africa are numerous, diverse, yet also converge as they jostle to
increase their dominance over each other. Due to Iran’s global
isolation, Iran sees resonance in Africa, with the continent’s own
experience of marginalisation. Africa thus holds the potential to
reduce the isolation forced on Iran by western sanctions. Turkey’s
revitalised foreign policy under the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) has seen it extending its global influence. Since 2002, Africa
has become part of its revamped foreign policy that looks to see
Ankara develop and strengthen ties with countries which Turkey
previously had neglected. Today, Turkey has the largest foreign
diplomatic and business components in Somalia compared to any other
state. With the world’s attention drawn to Israel’s continued
occupation of Palestinian lands, Israel has attempted to win favour
from African countries through its use of soft power under the guise
of development, and the sharing of agricultural and technological
expertise. Israel has also recently agreed to provide certain African
states with assistance in exchange for the transfer of African
refugees from Israel. Tiny Qatar, aside from seeing the opportunities
that the continent’s physical expansiveness offers, hopes to extend
its global clout and sphere of influence through Africa. This has seen
it involved in mediation in African conflicts, for example between
Sudan and Darfur rebels. It has also attempted to insert its influence
through involvement in the NATO-led overthrow of Libya’s Muammar
Gaddafi.


Paper and Abstracts

AMEC invites submissions of abstracts from people that might be
interested in presenting a paper at this conference on the issues
discussed here.


Prospective paper titles and abstracts must be in English, and may be
emailed to Nazlie Jada at [log in to unmask] by no later than 15
September 2013. Abstracts should not be more than 200 words in length,
attached to the email, and in ‘.odt’, ‘.doc’, or ‘.docx’ formats.


If your abstract is accepted, AMEC will expect an original paper
submitted prior to the conference. Papers should be between 4 000 and
6 000 words in length, and conform to AMEC’s style guide, which will
be provided to authors on the acceptance of an abstract. It is hoped
that papers will be published in an edited volume after the
conference.


The cost of flights to Johannesburg and accommodation during the
conference for speakers will be covered by AMEC.


About the Afro-Middle East Centre (AMEC)

AMEC is a Johannesburg based think tank that looks to understand and
enhance relations between Africa, particularly South Africa, and the
Middle East and North Africa region. AMEC seeks to shape public
discourse and engage decision makers on issues affecting the region.
It further looks to produce and disseminate the highest quality of
research on the Middle East, and on issues related to the Middle East
and North Africa.


For more information visit http://www.amec.org.za or email [log in to unmask] .

########################################################################

To unsubscribe from the ARAN list, click the following link:
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=ARAN&A=1