Dakar - The Timbuktu Institute – African Centre for Peace Studies and the Association of African Students in Political Science (ASSEASPO) signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday 26 January in Dakar, aimed at establishing long-term cooperation in research, training and the promotion of political science in Africa.

Through this agreement, the two parties intend to pool their expertise and networks in order to strengthen the critical thinking and intellectual engagement of African students on issues affecting the future of the continent, such as democracy, religious dynamics and geopolitics, security, governance, etc. The collaboration will focus in particular on the joint organisation of scientific and citizen conferences and webinars, the establishment of tutoring courses provided by researchers from the Timbuktu Institute, and the regular hosting of interns from Asseaspo.

The aim is to build concrete bridges between the academic world and applied research on issues of peace, security and governance in Africa. Created in 2023, Asseaspo is an association bringing together nationals from sixteen African countries (Senegal, Cameroon, Benin, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Gabon, Niger, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Togo, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic)

The memorandum also provides for the active participation of Asseaspo members in field surveys and research projects conducted by the Timbuktu Institute, as well as the joint promotion and dissemination of intellectual output. Concluded for an initial renewable term of two years, the agreement establishes a joint committee responsible for monitoring and evaluating activities, reflecting the desire of both partners to place this cooperation within a structured, evolving framework aimed at the sustainable strengthening of research and training in political science on the African continent.