About

My name is Marco Cochi, and for over two decades I have been a professional print journalist and researcher covering crisis areas, human rights, peace and security in sub-Saharan Africa. I specialize in Africa’s Islamist extremism and for over a decade I am contributor to Africana, Nigrizia, Eastwest, Informazioni della Difesa, Defense Strategy Review, La Comunità Internazionale, Metodo, Osservatorio ReaCT, Il Nodo di Gordio and also for the Africa section’s blog of the Madrid-based Centro de Información y Documentación Africana/Fundación Sur.

For four years (2017-2020) I have been Head of research at Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa Observatory of the Military Center for Strategic Studies (CeMiSS) within Italian Ministry of Defense. From 2008 to date, I carried out studies for the Africa Research and Development Forum (Ardf), Centre for Politics and International Studies (Ce.SPI), Center for Higher Defence Studies (Casd) and Centre of Excellence “Altiero Spinelli” (CeAs-University Roma Tre).

For four years (2009-2013) I headed the International Relations Office of Roma Capitale, where I concentrated my activity in the field of development cooperation, evaluating and coordinating projects of intercultural education and international solidarity. I led delegations to visit the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon and in some African countries. I am honorary citizen of the State of African Diaspora (SAD).

I have many years of teaching experience at university level in various lectures and training, seminars, masters and postgraduate courses at Eastwest European Institute, Carid Research Centre Athenaeum of the University of Ferrara, Link Campus University, Lumsa, Luspio, Sapienza University of Rome, Unicusano, Roma Tre University.

Graduated summa cum laude in Modern Literature, Major in Philosophy and Politics. Two 2nd-Level Master’s Degree in “International Security Studies” and in “Non-profit Economy and Development Cooperation”.

Email: afrofocusblog@gmail.com