
Director
Director, Strategic Policy & Regional Security Affairs — Africa & Caribbean Counter Terrorism, Security and Legislatures Academy (ACCTSLA)
His Excellency Professor Dr. Oumar Keïta is a distinguished historian, political anthropologist, diplomat, and strategic policy expert with deep specialization in governance systems, regional security dynamics, and geopolitical structures across the Sahel and wider Africa.
Professor Dr. Oumar Keïta currently serves as Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Studies for the Sahel (IESS), where he leads high-level work on regional security analysis, governance systems, and policy strategy across the Sahel.
Within ACCTSLA, he leads the design of counterterrorism policy frameworks and regional strategic doctrine, shaping how the academy understands, anticipates, and responds to terrorism, insurgency, and transnational security threats across Africa and the Caribbean.
His multidisciplinary academic training combines history, anthropology, diplomacy, governance, and strategic policy studies.
Professor Dr. Keïta served as Ambassador & Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Mali to UNESCO (2014–2021). During this tenure he:
His diplomatic experience gives ACCTSLA direct insight into international policy frameworks and global security dialogue.
Professor Dr. Keïta currently serves as Executive Director, Institute for Strategic Studies for the Sahel (IESS). Through this role he works on:
His leadership places him at the centre of policy conversations shaping the future of the Sahel region.
Professor Dr. Keïta has conducted extensive research on:
He has also been affiliated with Groupe de Sociologie Pragmatique et Réflexive (GSPR), EHESS Paris, and participated in democratic governance evaluation through the Observatoire Parisien de la Démocratie Locale. These engagements reinforce ACCTSLA's policy credibility and research depth.
Professor Dr. Keïta has also contributed to international institutions including Expert Consultant — Ergo Advisors (New York), and Delegate for the Dissemination of University Publications — Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme. These roles strengthened his experience in strategic advisory work, research dissemination, global intellectual collaboration, and international development dialogue.
Professor Dr. Keïta is the author of numerous academic and policy works on governance, democracy, and security in Mali and the Sahel. Selected publications include:
Upcoming publication: The Evolution of the Political System in Mali (1946–1996) — 2025. His writings have also appeared in international publications including Le Monde, Libération, L'Humanité, and La Croix.
As Director, Strategic Policy & Regional Security Affairs, Professor Dr. Keïta:
He ensures ACCTSLA remains deeply informed by regional political realities and strategic intelligence.
Professor Dr. Keïta brings: