From 15th to 18th October 2024, the inaugural workshop of the scientific network Re-centering African Subjects and Subjectivities – RASS – was held at the University of Ghana in Accra. The event was hosted by the Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) and co-organized by LECIAD senior research fellow Juliana Appiah together with Densua Mumford, Antonia Witt, and Mariel Reiss of the RASS coordinating team. The network members, internationally renowned scholars located at African, European, and North American Universities with diverse interdisciplinary experience in studying African regionalism, convened for three days in Accra. This in-person gathering provided a dynamic and inspiring platform for the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and research findings among RASS network members, guest speakers, and distinguished attendees. It revolved around the topic of (re)conceptualizing and (re)thinking subjectivities in African regionalism, addressing critical issues related to identity, agency, and integration in regional governance. The program featured four engaging panels with presentations by the network members as well as inputs by two distinguished guest speakers. The keynote was delivered by a representative of the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

The workshop-panels offered a comprehensive exploration of various dimensions of African regionalism, each focusing on distinct but interrelated themes. The first, titled The Civilian Subjects of African Regionalism, delved into the relationships between regional organizations and civil society. Mariel Reiss explored the intersection of regional organizations, human rights, and discourses around norms and rights of sexual and gender minorities, highlighting the intricate challenges posed by policy, identity, and activism. Complementing this, Antonia Witt examined how citizens engage with and perceive organizations such as the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Her work shed light on the practical knowledge and expectations held by the public towards these institutions. The second panel, Norms, Practices, and Practitioners in African Regionalism, provided critical insights into the operational frameworks of African diplomacy. Thomas Tieku offered an analysis of informal dynamics within the AU, drawing from research conducted at the Legon School of International Relations. Meanwhile, Densua Mumford and Juliana Appiah presented their collaborative research on reflexive methodologies that actively involve African diplomats. Their innovative approach positioned diplomats as co-creators of theoretical knowledge, fostering a deeper engagement with diplomatic practices. The third panel, African Regional Solidarities in Global Hierarchies, shifted focus to the global stage. Lynda Iroulo, in her presentation “Whispers and Roars: The Global Politics of Representation”, examined Africa’s representation within the UN and its agencies, unraveling the complexities of inclusion and power dynamics. Emmanuel Balogun expanded on this by exploring the AU’s contributions to reimagining a global order centered on African actors, as presented in his work “African Agency and Internal Workings of ROs”. Maria Ketzmerick examined the dual processes of institutional and grassroots developments, illustrating how Afro-Asian regional solidarity was both experienced and instrumental in shaping the broader framework of Global South internationalism during the Cold War. Her work highlighted the interplay between diplomatic strategies and lived solidarity in fostering a unified Global South identity. The final panel, African Intra-Regional Entanglements, addressed the intricate relationships and coordination among African regional bodies. Jens Herpolsheimer argued for a more robust empirical focus on Africa’s contribution to global regionalism in his presentation, calling for the deconstruction of unhelpful dichotomies in International Relations. Oheneba Boateng analyzed the role of horizontal integration among Regional Economic Communities, emphasizing its critical importance for Africa’s continental integration. And Jacob Lisakafu further assessed the progress in harmonizing peace and security policies between the AU and the Southern Africa Development Community under the African Peace and Security Architecture framework.

In addition to the panels, the workshop featured two notable guest speakers. Monica Tabengwa, policy specialist for LGBTI inclusion Africa at the UNDP, Johannesburg, provided an insightful account of the growing pushback against women’s rights, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and LGBTI+/queer rights across Africa. She underscored the increasing resistance faced by civil society and community organizations in their efforts to deliver SRHR and HIV prevention services, particularly for marginalized groups such as women, girls, and LGBTI+ populations. Joel Ng, Deputy Head of the Centre for Multilateralism Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, offered valuable comparative insights. Drawing lessons from Southeast Asia, he critically examined multilateral arrangements like BRICS, G20, and IORA, highlighting how states strategically position themselves within these frameworks to navigate global politics. Together, the panels and guest presentations fostered a rich dialogue, pushing the boundaries of scholarship and practice in African regionalism.

The first RASS Workshop was a resounding success, providing a platform for intellectual exchange and collaboration. It offered participants a wealth of insights and inspiration, setting the stage for the network’s activities over the upcoming two RASS years and underscored the importance of continued dialogue and research on African regionalism, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are represented in shaping the continent’s future.