African Studies Archives - Page 2 of 2

Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO)

CSO’S MISSION
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) helps U.S. diplomats prevent, respond to, and recover from conflict which disrupts and undermines long-term development and capacity building. We combine data analysis, qualitative assessment, and forecasting capabilities with data visualization techniques to address critical conflict dynamics. CSO brings partners and State Department capabilities together to assist, identify, and implement policy and programming activities. In short, we “map” conflict and identify and help fill “gaps” in policy and program responses.

CSO’S PRIORITIES
Preventing Destabilizing Violence
CSO addresses electoral violence, advises and monitors cease-fires and peace processes, and provides solutions to transitional civilian security challenges. To aid this critical effort, CSO created the Peace Process Support Network, consisting of 37 leading NGOs and academic institutions. These groups advise on building negotiating capacity, security guarantees, power sharing and decentralization arrangements, and peace agreement implementation. CSO also established the Stabilization Leaders Forum as a space for like-minded countries to collaborate on peacebuilding and fostering partnerships to prevent violence.

Preventing Violent Extremism
CSO produces analytic works and tools on the drivers of violent extremism. The CVE Assessment Framework identifies areas and communities at highest risk. The Monitoring and Evaluation Guide supports the integration of high-quality monitoring into programs. Analysis reports on priority countries establish baseline measures to track progress in support of the Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund. The global research network, RESOLVE (Researching Solutions to Violent Extremism) provides local research on causes of and resiliencies to violent extremism to promote effective policy and practice.

Preventing Mass Atrocities
Preventing large-scale, deliberate attacks against civilians requires a global effort and a wide range of options. As the State Department’s secretariat for atrocity prevention, CSO works to elevate attention to countries at risk of or experiencing deliberate, large-scale attacks against civilians. The bureau leads efforts to prevent and respond to atrocities by conducting risk analysis, developing diplomatic and programmatic recommendations, and measuring the impact of atrocity prevention initiatives.

CSO PERSONNEL
CSO personnel include 160 Civil Service Officers, Foreign Service Officers, U.S. military detailees, contractors, and interns. Our staff have a unique mix of skills with expertise in conflict mediation and resolution, foreign policy analysis, data visualization, and geospatial analysis.

African Affairs (AF)

The Bureau of African Affairs (AF) works to foster a dynamic of development and democracy that builds on Africa’s traditions and advances U.S. interests by creating an environment in which freedom, prosperity and security become the benchmarks for success in the U.S.-African partnership of the 21st century. The bureau conducts the full range of U.S. foreign relations with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, providing staffing and resource support to our embassies in challenging environments. Offices include:

Office of East African Affairs (AF/E): oversees policy for the East African Region, and liaises with the U.S. Embassies in Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Office of Central African Affairs (AF/C): oversees policy for the Central African Region, and liaises with the U.S. Embassies in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Office of South African Affairs (AF/S): oversees policy for the South African Region, and liaises with the U.S. Embassies in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Office of West African Affairs (AF/W): oversees policy for the West African Region, and liaises with the U.S. Embassies in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Office Economic and Regional Affairs (AF/ERA): advises on critical economic issues and programs such as the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA).
Office of the Executive Director (AF/EX): coordinates logistics, management, budget, and human resources for the bureau.
Office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (AF/PDPA): is responsible for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs coordination for the Africa Bureau.
Office of Regional and Security Affairs (AF/RSA): coordinates policies relating to the African Union (AU) and other regional multilateral and security-focused issues.