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The Centre for Pan-African Studies in collaboration with the SOAS Pan-African Society invites to a discussion on the role of the African diaspora in the current political climate. 

Recent USAID budget cuts, coupled with the UK government's latest aid cuts, have reignited debates on Africa’s dependence on foreign aid and the urgent need for sustainable, self-driven development. Within these discussions, the African diaspora is often positioned as a critical actor in reducing this dependency because of the large amount of remittances the diaspora consistently sends to their communities in their homelands. In 2023 alone, the African diaspora sent over $90 billion in remittances to the continent—excluding intra-African remittance flows. 

This figure highlights the economic power of diasporic communities and their commitment to development of their homelands. However, conversations about diaspora remittances often fail to consider the struggles migrants endure to send financial support home, as well as the legal and economic barriers they navigate.  

Additionally, aid cuts come as Africans on the continent and abroad are dealing with significant challenges. On the continent, ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to destabilize communities, while in Western countries, African migrants face rising anti-immigrant policies, racism, and xenophobia.  How can we adopt a more holistic approach that acknowledges both the challenges of those sending remittances and the needs of those receiving them? How can diaspora communities foster alternatives to aid that prioritize African agency?

About the speakers

Busayo Twins is a political commentator and content creator specialising in providing critical analysis of key political and social phenomena by examining their systemic causes, intersectional impacts, and broader implications. She is the creator and host of the "Everything is Political" series on Instagram Reels, where she delves into the political dimensions of everyday topics, encouraging viewers to recognize the pervasive nature of politics in daily life. 

Busayo has a professional background in policy, advocacy and youth engagement aimed at improving the outcomes of marginalised communities across the U.K.

Dr Kirstie Kwarteng is a research associate at the Centre for Pan-African Studies. She is a migration and diaspora specialist with 10 years of experience working with international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. She holds a PhD in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London and her research interests include second generation diaspora communities, transnationalism, and African diaspora populations.

Elvina Quaison is the CEO at Shabaka, a diaspora-led research and advocacy organisation specialising in diaspora humanitarian response. Elvina has worked in the international development field, with a focus on African diaspora, for over 20 years with experience spanning diaspora engagement in humanitarianism, development, private and public sector as well as within civil society.

Myron Oyinkansola Sotunde-Adesina is a valedictorian from Babcock University, where she co-founded her NGO called Voice of Hope. She pursued her first master’s degree at Johns Hopkins in International Affairs with a focus on globalization and economics. She is currently pursuing her second master's degree in international studies at SOAS, University of London, with a focus on Africa. 

Being a Nigerian who has experienced the struggles of the African community, she took part in the formation of the SOAS pan-African society, where she encourages youths to discuss contemporary African issues. She is also the Outreach manager of the society and is currently leading an initiative to provide aid in Sudan.

Mubarak Elamin has dedicated the last 20 years of his life to providing aid and sanctuary to the innumerable victims of the Sudan conflict. Trained as a filmmaker and director, his work, critical of the government made him a political target - jeopardizing his safety and forcing him to flee. Upon arriving in the UK in 2020, he quickly noticed the lack of awareness of the existence and severity of the conflict in Sudan. Taking advantage of his media contacts, personal experiences and unfaltering willpower, he founded both SOS For Sudan and KILMA Camp. 

While the former supports Sudanese asylum seekers in the UK, the latter provides medical aid for victims in West Sudan. His creed: to provide aid to ALL Sudanese - regardless of tribe, status or political affiliation.

Event chair: Dr. Mikal Woldu, UKRI Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Pan-African Studies.