Ms. Ratidzo C. Makombe is a Research Coordinator at the Institute of Pan-African Thought and Conversation and is currently pursuing her PhD in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. As a published scholar, Ms. Makombe specializes in Human Security in Africa, particularly focusing on elections and democratization, military coups, the role of foreign fighters and mercenary activities on the continent, and grassroots conflicts.