By Brian Finlay and Johan Bergenas – During the
week of December 6, the Managing Across
Boundaries
(MAB) program travelled to East Africa to
engage with governments and the nongovernmental community under the auspices of
its Beyond Boundaries
Initiative.
In Nairobi, Kenya, the MAB program, in cooperation with the Stanley Foundation,
organized a roundtable meeting on how assistance related to implementation of UN
Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1373 (2001) and 1540 (2004) can help bridge
the security/development divide in the region. Novel streams of international
security assistance can sustainably address global terrorism and proliferation
challenges while simultaneously assuaging regional security threats and
development needs in Kenya
and the East African subregion.

“Dual-benefit”
issues on the agenda included public health, small arms and light weapons
proliferation and trafficking, as well as terrorism. The meeting was attended
by 30 government officials and representatives of local NGOs. Ambassador
Ochieng Adala, former Kenyan Permanent Representative to the UN and current
Executive Director of the Africa Peace Forum, offered opening remarks. Other
featured speakers included:

• Mr.
  Jussi Laurikainen, Governance Programme Officer, Embassy of Finland in Nairobi.
• John
  Nzumbi, Disarmament Specialist, The Regional Centre on Small Arms
• Rashid
  Abdi, Horn of Africa Analyst, International Crisis Group
• Dr.
  David Mutonga, Director, Division of Disease Surveillance and Response,
  Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation
• Dr. Maurice Ope, Ministry of Public Health
• Fred
  Ngoga Gateretse, Adviser to the AU Special Representative for Somalia
• Rokhayatou
  Diarra, Expert, Terrorism Prevention Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and
  Crime
• Sabala
  Kizito, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development

Director
of the MAB program, Brian Finlay, explained the Stimson model of engagement.

Also in attendance during the workshop was Stimson Center visiting fellow, Mr. O’Neil
Hamilton, who shared his insights on the benefits countries in the Global South
can reap from implementing, through outside assistance. Mr. Hamilton
highlighted the success stories in the Caribbean Basin and
Central America
and discussed how developing countries can combat regional priorities through
the implementation of 1373 and 1540.

Following the Nairobi
meeting, the MAB program visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania,
meeting with government officials and NGOs. The MAB program with generous
support from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign affairs will continue to engage
with the East African sub-region in 2011 under the auspices of the Beyond
Boundaries Initiative