William (Mark) Bellamy is a senior adviser to the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He was principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Africa (2001–03) and ambassador to Kenya (2003–06). In Kenya he directed U.S. security programs in the Horn of Africa, supervised the U.S. government’s largest foreign HIV/AIDS program, and led multinational efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance. As a political officer in Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa (1989–1993), he was involved in U.S. diplomatic efforts to promote a peaceful transition to democratic rule in Namibia and South Africa. Bellamy was senior vice president of National Defense University (NDU), then director of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) at NDU from 2006 to 2012. He was Warburg Professor of International Relations at Simmons University in Boston from 2012 to 2019. Bellamy holds degrees from Occidental College (BA) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University (MA). He pursued postgraduate work at the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales (IUHEI) in Geneva and the Ecole National d’Administration (ENA - Promotion Solidarité) in Paris.

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Africa's Oil Economies Amidst the Energy Transition: Angola

Angola has come a long way since independence in 1975 and the end of its civil war in 2002. Yet despite the promise of reform under President João Lourenço, the country continues to be held back by well-connected and wealthy elites.

Event — May 30, 2024

What Africa Experts Are Watching in 2023

To preview some of the top stories in 2023, the CSIS Africa Program presents its annual list of key countries and issues to watch this year.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Catherine Nzuki, William Mark Bellamy, Mimi Alemayehou, Maria E. Burnett, Emilia Columbo, Ryan Cummings, Cameron Hudson, and Laird Treiber — March 8, 2023

U.S. Priorities in Eastern Africa

The upcoming Africa Leaders Summit is an opportunity for the United States to address the war in Ethiopia, insecurity in Somalia, and support the region's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commentary by William Mark Bellamy — December 8, 2022

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022

The CSIS Africa Program previews some of the top stories and trends in the region for 2022.

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, William Mark Bellamy, Hannah Ryder , Laird Treiber, Emilia Columbo, Will Brown, Rafiq Raji, Ryan Cummings, Maria E. Burnett, and Marielle Harris — January 20, 2022

What African Leaders Want at Biden’s Climate Summit

Five African leaders are attending Biden's Leaders Summit on Climate. The CSIS Africa Program previews their climate objectives and outlines their political, economic, and regional priorities.

Commentary by William Mark Bellamy, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Idayat Hassan, Judd Devermont, and Topaz Mukulu — April 21, 2021

Kenya’s Case of Covid-19

How is the Covid-19 pandemic playing out in Kenya? Former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Mark Bellamy discusses its effects on the economy, police brutality, and opposition suppression and outlines opportunities for the U.S. government to support its East African partner.

Critical Questions by William Mark Bellamy — June 16, 2020

What to Watch in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020

The CSIS Africa Program examines some of sub-Saharan Africa’s top stories for 2020, with hard-hitting implications for regional governments and international partners.

Commentary by William Mark Bellamy, Emilia Columbo, Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Jon Temin, Judd Devermont, Marielle Harris, and Richard Downie — January 10, 2020

Elections Deepen Kenya’s Partisan Divide

After two elections, two supreme court decisions, and almost four months of waiting, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was finally sworn in on November 28 to a second term of office. It was not the joyous occasion Kenyatta’s supporters had hoped for.

Commentary by William Mark Bellamy — January 4, 2018

Raila Odinga on the Kenyan Elections

Kenya faces a crisis in its democratic development following the Supreme Court’s annulment of the August presidential election result and the boycott of the re-run by Raila Odinga. Mr. Odinga will explain his reasons for withdrawing from the October 26 re-run, outline his next steps, and offer his prognosis for Kenya’s democratic health, peace, and stability.

Event — November 9, 2017