The Africa Working Group Present a Panel Discussion "The Roots & Future Prospect of Militant Islam in Somalia"

Africa Working Group Panel Discussion Featuring Hussein Yusuf, PhD Student, ICAR Dr. Terrance Lyons, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, ICAR Dr. Jamie Price, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and Anthropology, ICAR Mr. Mahdi Abdi, Executive Director of the East Africa Policy Institute Moderated by Dr. Wallace Warfield, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, ICAR In March 2009 the cabinet in Somalia endorsed a proposal by President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed to implement Sharia law throughout the country.

The rise of Al-Shabaab and other militant groups in the country present a unique security challenge for the Somali government, the region, and the international community. ICAR Professor Dr. Wallace Warfield moderated this panel as they looked at who is Al-Shabaab? What are the roots of these militant groups in Somalia? What does the rise of these groups mean for Somalia's security, regional stability, and the nature of Somalia's political organization in the coming decades? How should the United States engage these challenges? Wednesday, May 13, 2009, George Mason University, Arlington Campus.