Elikem Tsamenyi
Elikem Tsamenyi
Originally from Ghana, West Africa, I completed my Political Studies undergraduate degree from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and my Masters at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. My Master’s thesis explored and analyzed the proposition of whether and to what extent natural resource interests have been fundamental in causing, fueling or prolonging civil wars in Africa, focusing on the Liberian and Sierra Leonean civil wars. My research interests include regional organizations, African development issues, natural resource governance, African regional security, peace & conflict and sanctions. Currently working with Dr. Black, my PhD dissertation aims to examine the use of sanctions by African regional organizations as a means of addressing security and governance issues on the continent. Specifically, my objective is to explore the timing and sequencing of these regional sanctions, the compatibility of objectives pursued (especially with UN sanctions and also with other regional bodies’ sanctions), and the nature of these sanctions in order to bring out the underlying distinctively unique ideas, norms, beliefs and understandings of governance, security and regional society on the African continent.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Elikem Tsamenyi’s research interests focus on Sub-Sahara Africa. He is interested in issues of African development & security governance mechanisms. His research aims to explore the scope and nature of current security threats and challenges to peace, as well as developmental troubles in Africa. He is concerned with how these issues challenge African states’ capacities to anticipate, prevent, and deal with threats to peace, security and development.
His PhD dissertation explores the ‘African solutions to African problems’ rhetoric in security governance on the continent. Specifically, he is interested in understanding the African Union’s role in dealing with security and governance issues on the continent through the English School’s international society perspective.
Elikem is also interested in Canadian security and defence (foreign) policy towards sub-Sahara Africa. He explores how Canada can most effectively support and contribute to peace and security in Africa.