Terms of Reference:

Development of the ‘’Tana Papers’’ for the 2020 edition of the Tana Forum

Call prepared by The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Forum Secretariat.

1. Introduction

The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University is a prominent Institute for higher education, research and policy dialogues on peace and security in Africa. Established in 2007, it ranks among the top 50 educational establishments and think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. IPSS was also selected as the Center of Excellence for Post Conflict Societies by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in 2017.  Moreover, the Institute runs the Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP), a joint initiative with the African Union, which is mandated by the African Union’s Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security in Africa

IPSS serves as the Secretariat of Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa that has been organised every year since 2012. The forum brings prominent individuals, sitting state leaders and other experts to an informal gathering where they sit together to discuss African peace, security and development matters. The 2020 edition will focus on the theme: “The AfCFTA: A Milestone for Pan-Africanism and Conflict Transformation”.  It will take place in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia from 24-26 April 2020.

2. Contextual Background

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) brings together 55 African economies, forming the world’s largest trading area with a gross domestic product worth USD $3.4 trillion and a population of more than one billion people. The agreement has the potential to boost intra-African trade by 52.3 per cent by eliminating import duties, and to double this trade if non-tariff barriers are also reduced. The AfCFTA echoes the Pan-African call for the unity of peoples across the continent and a celebration of a shared values and history. Artificial borders and ethno-centric modes of governance have served as significant causes of conflict and division on the continent and have subsequently become barriers to nation-building in Africa. The CFTA, in the vein of Pan-Africanism, puts a value on Africa’s integrated development and the collective identity of the continent. Moreover, the new cooperation space is believed to also be a tool to ‘’silence the guns ‘’ and assist in mitigating the effects of conflicts on the continent.

Since its inception, the AfCFTA has attracted significant interest on the African continent and worldwide. However, the agreement, although an important step, does not necessarily guarantee trade, industrial development and integration for Africa, as envisaged in the aspirations of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Effectively implementing and reaping the pol-economic dividend from a complex agreement, such as the AfCFTA, requires the full ownership and will of all stakeholders, most importantly the African Member States. It is also imperative that Africa and other relevant stakeholders, including regional/continental organizations, analyse and understand the complexities associated with the AfCFTA and devise a comprehensive strategy that can help create favourable conditions for unleashing the continents’ potential for economic growth and sustainable development.

The aim of the Tana Forum policy Papers is, therefore, to undertake research and critical analysis on the proposed topics that are related to the theme of the upcoming Tana forum event and offer concrete recommendations on how best to foster the success of the CFTA for the attainment of the AU Vision of an integrated, stable, peaceful and prosperous Africa. It is also expected that these papers will highlight critical drivers; explore and interrogate the risk and barriers associated with the agreement, and proffer policy and programmatic recommendation for redress.

3. Description of the Assignment

Interested applicants are expected to send an abstract of no more than 400 words to the IPSS Research Unit and, if selected, will be requested to write a policy paper. Accordingly, the contributor(s) will be expected to write a policy paper on one of the proposed topics and send the draft paper to the IPSS Research Unit for review and approval. A Policy Paper is usually 8-10 pages long. It contains an executive summary, key points, an introduction to the topic of the paper, body and conclusion and recommendation. Authors are expected to revise and resubmit the brief by the deadline. The IPSS Research Unit also reserves the right to edit and make changes to the paper before publication in agreement with the author.

4. Proposed Policy Brief Topics

1. Unpacking the AfCFTA: its significance for Africa and its People;
2. AfCFTA: risks and mitigation strategies;
3. AfCFTA: ownership and milestone for pan Africanism;
4. Implementation of the AfCFTA: what does it take and what lesson can be learned from other free trade areas?
5. Inter-state political dynamics and their impact on the success of AfCFTA;
6. Role of regional, continental and international organisation (such as AU and RECs) in the implementation of the AfCFTA;
7. Security implications of the AfCFTA;
8. AfCFTA and the Curent World Order.

 The contributor will, on the basis of the agreement:

• Ensure the delivery of the policy paper according to the proposed structure;
• Ensure she/he meets the agreed upon deadline;
• Revise and resubmit the paper if the first draft does not fulfil the quality standards.

5. Timeline
   • Commissioning of the Policy Brief – January 20, 2020;
   • Submission of the First draft – February 20, 2020;
   • Submission of Final draft – March 15, 2020.
6. Place(s) of Assignment

 The place of assignment is the contributor’s place of residence. There are no travels included.

7. Duration and Honorarium

The contributor will work for the period of January 20, to March 15, 2020, and will receive a moderate honorarium.

8. Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the abstract  and a CV not longer than 3 pages to the email address: application@ipss-addis.org and copy psru@ipss-addis.org till January 15, 2020.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.