The Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings has just published a new report – “Top Five Reasons Why Africa Should Be a Priority for the United States.” The format of the report is as follows (and includes a contribution from yours truly):

• Introduction: Why Africa Matters to the United States by Mwangi Kimenyi
• Advancing Peace and Security in Africa by Lesley Anne Warner
• China in Africa: Implications for U.S. Competition and Diplomacy by Yun Sun
• Key Sub-Saharan Energy Trends and their Importance for the U.S. by John P. Banks
• Transforming the U.S.-Africa Commercial Relationship by Witney Schneidman
• U.S. Development Assistance and Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities for Engagement by George Ingram and Steven Rocker

In my section on Advancing Peace and Security in Africa, I argue that the United States should:

1. Rebalance U.S. engagement with African countries so that it is more proactive than reactive.
2. Establish multi-year funding authorities for building partner capacity programs.
3. Address the deficient capabilities of African law enforcement personnel.
4. Continue to support regional and sub-regional mechanisms for conflict resolution.
5. Use ongoing insecurity in the Sahel as an impetus to re-evaluate the scope of U.S. military engagement on the continent.

Hope you get a chance to take a look at both the remainder of my section and those of my fellow contributors!