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This research paper by Rashid S. Kaukab analyzes the ongoing debates within the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the governance of electronic commerce ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). It examines the tension between the multilateral Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WPEC) and the plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-Commerce, specifically focusing on the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions and the digital divide affecting developing countries.

This briefing examines how the United States and Nigeria are repurposing civilian policy instruments, specifically the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and civil aviation frameworks, to establish security and surveillance capabilities. By integrating decommissioned U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) equipment into Nigerian civilian infrastructure, the two nations are creating a "shared awareness" corridor that provides the functional capabilities of a virtual base without the political complications of formal military basing or treaties.

This policy brief by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the functionality of ward committees in South Africa, based on action research conducted between 2022 and 2024 across 12 municipalities. It identifies systemic failures in resourcing, political neutrality, and institutional support, while providing recommendations to transform these committees into effective channels for participatory democracy.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the current state of Nepal's textiles and clothing exports, focusing on the garment and hand-knotted woollen carpet subsectors. It examines the structural constraints hindering competitiveness, the drivers that have allowed these industries to survive, and the potential risks associated with Nepal's upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The authors argue for a shift in industrial policy away from ad-valorem subsidies toward market intelligence, inter-agency coordination, and productivity improvements.

The May 2025 Peace & Security Council Report examines escalating tensions between Algeria and Mali, the institutional challenges of AU-ECOWAS collaboration, the rise of 'lawfare' to undermine democracy in Africa, and the role of illicit economies in fueling Sahelian extremism.

The April 2025 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the African Union's (AU) peace and security architecture, focusing on the second term of PAPS Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, regional divisions in North Africa, the new AUSSOM mission in Somalia, and the challenges of mediation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes UN voting patterns on Ukraine as of February 2025. It highlights a divergence between European demands for Russian accountability and the Trump administration's shift toward de-escalation, alongside a more strategic, pragmatic approach by Global South nations seeking diplomatic mediation over binary confrontation.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is hindered by a rigid, reactive mandate that fails to address the complex regional political dynamics and the enhanced military capabilities of armed groups like the M23. The authors call for a fundamental recalibration of the mission, shifting from a defensive posture to one focused on prevention, flexible rules of engagement, and a transition strategy based on local readiness benchmarks rather than fixed timelines.

This research paper examines the potential economic and regulatory consequences of the expiration of the World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions. The moratorium, first adopted in 1998, has been extended until March 31, 2026, but faces increasing opposition from developing countries seeking to recover public revenues and maintain policy space for national digital industrialization. The authors argue that the end of the moratorium could lead to a fragmented global regulatory landscape, increased costs for consumers, and reduced market access for digital service providers.

This research paper by Kholofelo Kugler analyzes the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol (DTP), adopted in February 2024. The protocol aims to create a comprehensive framework for digital trade across Africa, focusing on trade facilitation, data governance, and digital inclusion. While the main text is adopted, eight key annexes remain under negotiation. The author highlights the potential for the digital economy to significantly boost Africa's GDP and employment, provided that infrastructure gaps and regulatory fragmentation are addressed.

The April 2024 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines critical challenges within the African Union's (AU) peace and security architecture. It analyzes the potential restoration of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS), the political implications of Chad's May 2024 election, the security crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the strategic priorities of Egypt upon rejoining the Peace and Security Council (PSC).

The March 2024 Peace & Security Council Report examines the transition of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) membership, the critical security situation in Abyei, the operational challenges of the African Standby Force (ASF), ongoing AU institutional reforms, and the response of ECOWAS to unconstitutional changes of government in West Africa.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that the South African government has failed to raise the maximum available resources (MAR) to fund essential social services, leading to unnecessary austerity. The document identifies numerous tax and non-tax revenue streams—including wealth taxes, the removal of ineffective tax breaks, and the utilization of the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA)—that could provide hundreds of billions of rands to avoid budget cuts and stimulate economic growth.

This fact sheet from the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues for the implementation of a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa. It compares universal systems against targeted social grants, asserting that universal systems are more effective at reaching the poor, reducing administrative costs, and promoting social cohesion, whereas targeted systems often exclude a significant portion of the intended beneficiaries due to bureaucratic hurdles and inaccurate data.

This monograph examines how competing interpretations of history and the material representation of memory—through monuments, statues, and the naming of public spaces—drive political polarisation and conflict in Ethiopia. The author identifies three primary ideological approaches to collective memory: rejectionist/reconstructivist, revivalist/restorationist, and moderationist. These approaches interact with four layers of 'invented traditions' (the pre-1991 'great tradition', post-1991 federal vernacular traditions, regional traditions, and local-level traditions), creating a 'battleground of memory wars' that reinforces vertical and horizontal tensions between the state and various political movements.

This special edition of the Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the resurgence of military coups and unconstitutional changes of government (UCGs) in Africa, specifically focusing on a 'third wave' since 2019. The report analyzes the drivers of these coups, the role of 'constitutional coups' (manipulating term limits), the impact of civil-military relations, and the effectiveness of African Union (AU) and regional sanctions.

This policy brief examines the prevalence and risk factors of online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA) in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cabo Verde. It highlights a significant gap between official data and actual prevalence, noting that OCSEA is likely drastically underreported due to social stigma and weak identification processes. The document identifies systemic failures in legal frameworks, law enforcement capacity, and victim support, while recommending regional harmonization of laws and increased collaboration between governments and the technology sector.

This research paper by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) advocates for a 'strategic procurement paradigm' to replace the 'administrative paradigm' currently dominating South Africa's public procurement system. The authors, acting as a Joint Strategic Resource (JSR) for the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac), argue that the existing system's rigidity facilitates state capture and hinders complex infrastructure delivery. They propose a legislative framework that empowers accounting officers, integrates procurement with technical delivery functions, and implements 'guardrails' such as open contracting and incentivised whistleblowing to ensure integrity.

This research paper by Pascal Krummenacher analyzes the gaps in current international trade policy caused by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). It argues that existing World Trade Organization (WTO) frameworks—specifically regarding the goods-services distinction, professional certifications, services delivery modes, and intellectual property—are ill-equipped for AI. While acknowledging the WTO's slow pace and the lack of global normative consensus, the author suggests that the organization should utilize 'soft law' to coordinate international AI regulation and prevent fragmentation.

This policy brief provides a state-of-play analysis of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce as of December 2022. It examines the evolving global e-commerce governance landscape, including national regulatory trends and the rise of Digital Economy Agreements, while detailing the progress of JSI negotiations, the restructuring of the consolidated negotiating text, and the efforts to address the digital divide and development concerns.