Ambassador Augustine Mahiga Discusses Rebuilding Somalia at Sept. 24 Forum

The Human Rights Center at the University of Minnesota Law School and the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights in partnership with the Somali Institute for Peace Research are co-sponsoring "Rebuilding Somalia: The Role of the Diaspora" on Saturday, September 24, 2011. The forum will be held in Room 25 of Mondale Hall, 229 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, from 2:00-4:30 p.m.

Ambassador Augustine P. Mahiga, U.N. Special Representative and Head of the U.N. Political Office for Somalia, will speak about the current situation in Somalia and the peace and reconciliation process mandated by the United Nations. Among specific topics to be addressed are the Kampala Accord, the famine, challenges and opportunities for the country, and a new road map to peace.

A Tanzanian diplomat, Mahiga was formerly ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations and led the Tanzanian team in the U.N. Security Council from 2005-06. He has studied international relations and holds degrees from the University of East Africa and the University of Toronto.

The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights is a nonprofit organization working cooperatively in the United States and Norway to promote models of peace and justice worldwide. The Somali Institute for Peace Research works to empower Somali leaders in areas of conflict with the skills to advance reconciliation and coexistence. The two organizations worked together to bring Mahiga to speak at community-engagement events.

The forum is free and open to the public, but tickets are preferred (order at http://forumwithambmahiga-efbevent.eventbrite.com/). For further information, contact Jacob Walls at wall0647@umn.edu or 651-269-2613.