The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) is self-described as "a U.S. Department of Defense institution established and funded by Congress for the study of security issues relating to Africa and serving as a forum for bilateral and multilateral research, communication, and exchange of ideas involving military and civilian participants."
It is a Regional Center of the National Defense University, which describes it as "[supporting] United States foreign and security policies by strengthening the strategic capacity of African states to identify and resolve security challenges in ways that promote civil-military cooperation, respect for democratic values, and safeguard human rights."
Origin
In 1994 the United States European Command petitioned the Chairman of the US House International Relations Committee to create a Center on African Affairs that emulated the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies was formally established in March 1999. In 2004, the Center relocated to Building 20 (Grant Hall) on the campus of the Department of Defense’s National Defense University at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., where it is one of five regional centers.
Grant Hall is the last remaining remnant of the Washington Federal Penitentiary, built in 1829 & demolished in 1867. It is the site of the Lincoln assassination conspirators trial, which took place in a makeshift courtroom on the third floor...which had held the penitentiary laundry. All eight conspirators were found guilty and four were sentenced to be hanged. The hanging occurred (next to what is now called Grant Hall) on July 7, 1865. The courtroom has been restored to its 1865 appearance, and hosts public tours on a quarterly basis.
In 2007, ACSS began a working partnership with the recently established U.S. Africa Command.
Region of engagement
ACSS's region of engagement includes all African countries. However, engagement with Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia is shared with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. Since ACSS is based in Washington, D.C., the Center also engages local Africa specialists.
Regional offices
In September 2004, the Africa Center recommended establishing four Africa Center Regional Offices. The first regional office was opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on October 26, 2006. In November 2008, a second Regional Office was opened in Dakar, Senegal.
The goal of the ACSS Regional Offices was to establish long-term and visible Africa Center presence on the continent. Specifically, the Regional Offices helped to strengthen relationships with African governments, international organizations, the African Union and sub-regional organizations, and other partner institutions across the continent. The Regional Offices build outreach programs and provide support for ACSS Community Members and organized Community Chapters. They planned and executed ACSS activities in support of ACSS headquarters and host governments. In addition, the Regional Offices fostered strong working ties with African defense, military, and civic leaders to advance common policy objectives.
Due to Department of Defense budget cuts, ACSS Regional Offices were identified for closure in the summer of 2014. Their outreach mission was transferred to the main campus in Washington, D.C.
East Africa Regional Office (EARO) Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, EARO promoted bilateral dialogue through continuous engagement with the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development, the European Union, African Military Attachés Association, EASBRIG, African Standby Forces, and the U.S. Mission to the AU. EARO also maintained and expanded ACSS alumni networks and community chapters. Of these, the International Alumni Chapter played a critical role in advancing the policy dialogue on China’s role in Africa, the referendum in Southern Sudan, and ongoing instability in Somalia and Eritrea. The East Africa office worked with the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa to support forums at Camp Lemonnier on issues of regional importance.