Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island (USA), where he teaches undergraduate, master, and Ph.D. level courses in international relations and African Politics. He also serves as Deputy Director of the Joint Civil-Military Interaction (JCMI) Research and Education Network, coordinating strategic partnerships, research, and training of key stakeholders on policies and operations related to civil-military interactions in fragile countries. He is a strategic thinker and scholar with over 15 years of experience working, advising, and conducting policy-relevant research and studies on Africa’s security, development, and governance issues. He consults for international organizations, government agencies, think tanks, and business consulting firms. Dr. Ilunga uses cross-cultural and interdisciplinary focus in his work, and he is skilled in navigating the strategic, operational, and tactical environment in his analysis and engagement with stakeholders.

Dr. Ilunga is the author of the book Humanitarianism and Security: Trouble and Hope at the Heart of Africa (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020). He is working on two book projects, The Dynamics of Religion in Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Operations and Designing and Teaching Peace (Under Contract). His most recent book chapter, “Peace Leadership, Security and the Role of the Military in Ethnopolitical Conflict,” was published in the Routledge Handbook of Peacebuilding and Ethnic Conflict. (Routledge Publishing 2022). He is the initiator of the African Wars in the 21st Century Project. With his research agenda broadly focused on international relations, peace operations, security, peace, and development, Dr. Ilunga addresses questions related to humanitarian action, civil–military interactions, natural resources-based conflicts, regional cooperation, and security in his writings and public engagements. Dr. Ilunga holds a Ph.D. in Global Affairs (Rutgers University, U.S.A.), He is fluent in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala. He tweets at @DrYvanYenda.