United States Institute of Peace (USIP) President Jim Marshall welcomed General Carter Ham, the commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), to the Institute on November 30 for a discussion about USIP’s expanding work on the continent. The meeting focused on how the Africa Command and USIP can explore possible future partnerships in support of peacebuilding on the continent.

Ham received briefings on USIP and its Africa activities from Marshall; Director of Iraq, Iran and North Africa Programs Manal Omar; Director of the Sudan and South Sudan Program Jon Temin; and Rule of Law Center Senior Program Officer Hamid Khan. Institute Chief of Staff Paul Hughes will continue the discussion of possible partnerships with Africa Command on behalf of USIP.

Created by Congress, USIP is an independent, nonpartisan institution working on the prevention and mitigation of international conflict without resort to violence. USIP is working in several African countries that are experiencing conflict or its aftermath through training of peacebuilders, efforts to facilitate dialogue, other on-the-ground programs, and research and analysis.