The selected book for the Tana Forum Annual Book Launch is titled “Fighting for Peace in Somalia: A History and Analysis of the African Union Mission (AMISOM), 2007-2017” by Dr. Paul D. Williams. Dr. Williams is  an Associate Professor of International Affairs and Associate Director of the Security Policy Studies M.A. program at George Washington University in the United States.

This year, 10 book submissions were reviewed by a committee of internal experts at IPSS and external experts at other institutions. Each publication was evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The relevance of the book to peace, security governance and development in Africa;
• Contribution of the book to the body of knowledge and the audience it serves;
• Originality, objectivity and arguments of the book;
• The methodology and sources used;
• The impetus of the book with regards to political controversy, review, research or policy…etc;
• Policy relevance of the book;
• Evidence to support each thematic topic;
• Structure and language of the book; and
• Proper referencing and bibliography.

Dr. Williams will present his book to a diverse gathering of African heads of state and government, decision-makers at the AU, UN and other international organizations, academia and members of the civil society attending the 8th Tana Forum on 4-5 May 2019.

About the Annual Book Launch

Every year as part of the Tana Forum programme, the Annual Book Launch gives a platform for both African and non-African authors to present their books on peace, security, governance or development to the Forum’s participants.

The first edition of the Annual Book Launch took place on in April 2017 during the 6th Tana Forum. The book launch was “Making Africa Work: A Handbook for Economic Success” co-authored by Dr. Greg Mills, Director of the Brenthurst Foundation based in Johannesburg, and H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria. In 2018, The selected book was, “New Fringe Pastoralism: Conflict, Security and Development in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel”, published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).