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This report analyzes the limitations of international interventions in the security sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), specifically focusing on Security Sector Reform (SSR) and the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS). The authors argue that these efforts failed to produce fundamental change because they adopted a technical approach that ignored the neo-patrimonial political nature of the Congolese state and the complex relationship between the military and local communities.

This research paper by Lauren Hutton, published by the Institute for Security Studies in February 2015, interrogates the continued relevance of peacebuilding within external interventions in Africa. The author argues that current peacebuilding efforts are often limited because they fail to address the radical restructuring of political and economic power, instead reinforcing existing inequalities and enabling autocratic governance through the building of state institutions that can be used for predation and control.

This research paper uses the International Futures (IFs) forecasting system to evaluate Namibia's progress toward the goals of Vision 2030 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4). The author analyzes population trends and economic drivers, identifying physical capital—specifically basic infrastructure—as the primary constraint on long-term growth. The paper presents three scenarios (Current Path, Infrastructure Access, and Leave No Namibian Out) to illustrate the trade-offs between investing in physical infrastructure and human capital.

This research paper examines the implementation of the Maputo Protocol—the African Union's framework for women's rights—across Africa, with specific case studies on Malawi, South Sudan, Somalia, and Mozambique. It argues that while the protocol provides a critical legal foundation for gender equality and human security, its practical application is hindered by a lack of political will, the persistence of patriarchal customary laws, and systemic barriers to justice and political participation.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the precarious state of the peace process in Angola as of April 1998. It examines the historical roots of the conflict, the failure of previous peace accords, the clandestine networks supplying weapons to UNITA, and the potential scenarios for the country's future, ranging from renewed military conflict to a fragile political transition.

This research paper by Mark Malan of the Institute for Security Studies examines the institutional confusion and legal ambiguities surrounding the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as it attempted to transition from an economic coordination body to a regional security arrangement. The author argues that the lack of a formal structure for the proposed SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security has allowed member states to justify unilateral or small-group military interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho under a 'mythical' regional mandate, often bypassing UN Security Council authorization.

This research paper examines the relationship between the extraction of precious stones—specifically diamonds, coltan, and gold—and the perpetuation of armed conflicts in Southern Africa, with a focus on Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It analyzes how these resources fund rebel movements and governments, the challenges law enforcement faces in policing illicit trade, and proposes regulatory reforms to decouple resource wealth from conflict.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates South Africa's participation in international peace missions, comparing the guidelines of the 1999 White Paper on South African Participation in Peace Missions against actual practices in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Lesotho. The authors argue that decision-making remains overly centralized in the presidency, often bypassing mandated inter-departmental consultation and parliamentary oversight.

This research paper by Richard R. Marcus examines the political evolution of Madagascar, focusing on the transition from the autocratic rule of Didier Ratsiraka to the presidency of Marc Ravalomanana following the 2002 crisis. It analyzes the role of social movements, the manipulation of constitutional structures, and the tension between democratic transition and neopatrimonialism.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of partnership policing from community policing, focusing on its application in South Africa and comparing it with international models. It argues that partnership policing is an independent model based on a 'multi-agency approach' where police, the public, and government agencies share responsibility for community safety.

This research paper evaluates the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP 2030) for South Africa, concluding that the target average GDP growth of 5.4% is highly ambitious and unlikely to be met without systemic structural changes. While the authors find the economic targets difficult to achieve, they argue that targets for education and infrastructure are attainable even with lower growth rates, suggesting a lack of integration in the NDP's sectoral planning. The analysis emphasizes the need to move from a consumption-driven growth model to one based on investment and improved state capability to address deep structural inequality and unemployment.

This policy brief summarizes the book 'Africa First!' by Jakkie Cilliers, which analyzes the current development trajectory of Africa and proposes a scenario for economic growth and poverty reduction by 2040. The document highlights a growing economic divergence between Africa and the rest of the world, attributing the slow progress to unproductive economic structures, slow demographic transitions, and weak governance.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines how South Africa can strengthen its victim-centred prosecutorial approach. It compares South African practices, such as the Thuthuzela Care Centres and the Victim Support Services Bill, with international models from countries like Scotland, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan, recommending a 'one-door' service approach and a digital victim notification system.

This policy brief evaluates a multi-year intervention (2012–2019) in Touwsranten, South Africa, which combined four Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) programmes with a social activation process. While the study observed reductions in parenting stress and improvements in children's mental health, it found that systemic issues—including intimate partner violence, substance misuse, and poor adult mental health—undermined the ability to achieve a community-wide shift toward positive parenting.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of climate change, gender inequality, and human mobility in Africa. It argues that gender-neutral climate policies deepen existing inequalities and that women, despite being key agents of adaptation, face disproportionate risks and barriers to resources, finance, and decision-making.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies outlines principles and guidelines for designing multisectoral violence prevention interventions in communities, drawing on lessons from the South African Violence Prevention Forum.

This report summarizes a seminar held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which analyzed post-conflict reconstruction in the Republic of Congo (RoC) through the lens of the African Union Policy Framework on Post conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD). The seminar examined whether the RoC has transitioned away from its war economy and evaluated the tension between state stability and human security.

The provided text is a list of abbreviations and acronyms used in a report by the Institute for Security Studies. It lists various international organizations (e.g., UN, OAU, NATO), national military and police forces, political parties, and private security firms, primarily focused on African contexts.

This document provides a list of contributors to a publication, detailing their professional roles and affiliations with organizations such as the Institute for Security Studies, the Canadian Council for International Peace and Security, and Human Rights Watch.

A summary of deliberations from a June 2009 workshop in Mombasa, Kenya, focused on developing regional strategies for law enforcement agents to combat piracy in Eastern Africa. The meeting, organized by EAPCCO, HSF, and ISS, emphasized a multi-sectoral approach combining security, diplomacy, and the addressing of root causes in Somalia.