Fee Calculator - 2025 Pan-African Debating Championship • ADP

Preparation Material

Topics and Research Areas

A majority of our topics will only be provided at the tournament.

Some topics, however, are too complex to discuss without prior research. We have therefore decided to pre-release some of our most intricate motions and several broad areas for research.

Approach your debate preparations with strategy. A good debate is like a game of chess – aim to be several steps ahead of your opponents.

Start by defining the motion

You should start with the plain meaning of the motion and then determine what the motion requires your side to prove. Is this a normative debate? Is this a change/harm debate?

Center your case around your Burden of Proof

A burden of proof is the underlying argument that your team has decided it needs to prove to win. If you’re an opposition team, we call this a “clash”. Your points should flow from the Burden of Proof or Clash.

Think about both sides

It’s easy to get sidetracked by the side you most agree with. Regardless of the side you’re assigned to, you should prepare a case for both sides. You should also think about the rebuttal your opponents are likely to throw at your case.

Prepared Motion #1

We should close foreign military bases in Africa

Should Africa continue to host foreign militaries on its soil? The presence of foreign military bases in Africa has become a growing debate. While some African nations see them as a necessary defence against threats like terrorism and piracy, the African Union (AU) has expressed concerns about their impact on the region and the historical connotations involved.

Suggested resources:

Chinese military base in Djibouti necessary to protect key trade routes linking Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe: South China Morning Post: Concerns over the Chinese naval presence in tiny African country are unfounded as the intention is to safeguard vital trade routes for all
Militarisation of the Horn of Africa and what this means for regional security: The horn of Africa has become a sought-after host for foreign military bases. This article discusses some of the key geo-political reasons for this trend and the unfolding risks.
Djibouti: A Strategic Hub with Economic Challenges: This paper explores the complexities of Djibouti, a small nation with a big geopolitical footprint. Due to its strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea, Djibouti is a vital passage for global trade and has attracted significant foreign military investment. The paper delves into the economic challenges Djibouti faces, such as poverty and food insecurity, while also highlighting the opportunities presented by its strategic location.
Why does the US have 800 military bases around the world?: By Vox Media

Prepared Motion #2

African governments should recognize Somaliland as an independent state

In 2024, Ethiopia did the unthinkable – they signed a deal giving Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coast. This deal creates something unique for Somaliland – it’s first instance of international recognition. The region is still claimed by Somalia, but should it be? Should African states continue to accept Somalia’s sovereignty over the territory?

Suggested resources:

How is South Sudan doing 12 years after independence?: By DW News. South Sudan is Africa's youngest nation, breaking away from Sudan 9 July 2011. This documentary examines the progress made in the young nation.
Somaliland: Kill All but the Crows (Part I) | People & Power: Somaliland is an autonomous region with its own capital city, Hargeisa. Some argue that it is a haven of peace and stability when compared with the rest of Somalia.
When is a nation not a nation? Somaliland’s dream of independence: By the Guardian. Though unrecognised by the international community, this self-declared state in the Horn of Africa has its own flag, parliament, currency and national identity. What has to happen before its status changes?
What can Kenya’s budding secessionist movement learn from elsewhere?: By the East African. Raila Odinga wants to split Kenya into two separate nations. This article discusses similar attempts in other parts of Africa.
The Stakes in the Ethiopia-Somaliland Deal: By the The International Crisis Group. A preliminary agreement with Somaliland giving landlocked Ethiopia access to the Gulf of Aden has heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, a region already in turmoil. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts explain the implications of the controversial accord.