Francesca Caruso was a researcher in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa programme at the IAI and Policy Officer at the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network (MWMN). Her research interests include the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Mediterranean region, politics in North Africa and peace and security studies in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on Central Africa. She also works as a consultant for the Community of Sant’Egidio’s Peace Programme and regularly contributes to La Stampa, covering issues related to politics and security in sub-Saharan Africa.