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This research paper analyzes South Africa's decision to vote in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 regarding military intervention in Libya. The author argues that South Africa failed to foresee how the resolution would be used by NATO to pursue regime change rather than solely protecting civilians, suggesting that South Africa may not yet be prepared for the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council seat.

This workshop report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the SADC Gender Alliance, documents a seminar held in November 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. The event focused on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, examining the gendered dimensions of peace, security, and peacekeeping across Southern and East Africa.

This report documents a workshop held on August 31, 2010, regarding the impact of global financial reforms—specifically the G20's push for Basel III—on trade in financial services within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The discussions highlight the dominance of South Africa as a net exporter of financial services in the region and the potential for new regulatory barriers to emerge as South Africa implements global standards, which may reduce funding for riskier African prospects and infrastructure projects.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the efficacy of targeted sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe's ruling elite. It details the various restrictive measures implemented by Western governments and international bodies, argues that these 'smart sanctions' have been largely ineffective due to implementation loopholes and regional support for the Mugabe regime, and suggests a conditional, middle-ground approach to lifting some restrictions to encourage political progress under the Inclusive Government.

This research paper examines the perceptions, support, and reservations of African countries regarding the proposed Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a global initiative to establish universal standards for the legal trade of conventional weapons. It specifically analyzes the viewpoints of five African nations that participated in a United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of implementing such a treaty across the continent.

This research paper by Mireille Affa’a Mindzie, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2009, examines the role of human rights in African international relations. It analyzes the tension between the formal commitment to international human rights standards and the practical application of these standards in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, where national interests and the pursuit of 'African solutions to African problems' often take precedence.

This seminar report details an analysis of the 12th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa from 26 January to 3 February 2009. The event featured presentations on the poor implementation of AU decisions, the legal challenges of transforming the AU Commission into an Authority, and the AU's response to International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments regarding Sudan.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the 2009 amnesty program initiated by the Nigerian Federal Government for militants in the Niger Delta, questioning whether financial compensation can resolve deep-seated socio-economic grievances.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of France's relations with Africa, analyzing the transition from the traditional 'Françafrique' system of personalized power and influence toward a more multilateral, transparent partnership. It evaluates the tensions between official rhetoric of rupture—such as the 'doctrine de la Baule' and President Nicolas Sarkozy's promises—and the persistence of old habits, including the support of authoritarian regimes and the reduction of development aid.

This research paper examines the implementation and challenges of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) across the African continent. It argues that international control mechanisms fail to prioritize specific African concerns, such as the prevention of disease outbreaks, and that African states often lack the resources and political priority to implement necessary national legislation.

This research paper by Marianne Camerer examines the requirements for effective anti-corruption systems, particularly within the context of new democracies in Africa. The author argues that a single-agency approach is often insufficient and that sustainable reform requires a combination of data-driven policy, a matrix of legal and oversight institutions, ethical leadership, and active partnerships with civil society and the media.

This research paper by Professor Awadi Sadiki Mawenya, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the systemic nature of corruption in African public procurement. It argues that corruption in this sector is a primary driver of poverty on the continent and proposes a holistic strategy for mitigation involving legal reform, political commitment, and international cooperation.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the 2007 Nairobi Agreement and the 2008 Goma Acte d’engagement, evaluating their potential to stabilize the Kivu provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It examines the challenges of disarming the Forces Démocratique de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and the Congrès National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP), while highlighting the critical failures of the Congolese army (FARDC) and the broader Security Sector Reform (SSR) process.

This research paper by Chomba Chella and Simon Kabanda analyzes the 2000-2001 campaign in Zambia that successfully prevented President Frederick Chiluba from amending the Constitution to seek a third term in office. The authors detail the tactics used by the government to drum up support, the formation of the Oasis Forum coalition, and the specific methods of citizen activism that led to Chiluba's capitulation on May 4, 2001.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies provides an update on the operationalisation of the African Standby Force (ASF), a multidisciplinary force designed for rapid deployment in peace support operations across Africa. While the AU has made progress in developing doctrine, training policies, and standard operating procedures, the document highlights significant hurdles in logistics, AU-level leadership capacity, and sustainable financing.

This research paper examines international migration patterns in southern Africa, focusing on the challenges of data collection and the implementation of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Draft Protocol on Facilitation of Movement of Persons. It analyzes the dynamics of voluntary and forced migration, the prevalence of xenophobia in destination countries, and the need for harmonized legislation to achieve regional integration.

This research paper analyzes the protracted conflict over Western Sahara, examining the various peace plans proposed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the United Nations (UN), and the parties involved. It identifies the fundamental disagreement over sovereignty and the 'winner-takes-all' nature of referendums as primary obstacles to a resolution.

This research paper examines the structural and capacity constraints that hinder the implementation of anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The author argues that global standards often fail to account for the continent's predominantly cash-based economies and informal financial systems, necessitating context-sensitive solutions rather than a 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

This report explores market-based price risk management options for coffee farmers, particularly smallholders in developing countries. It analyzes the volatility of Arabica and Robusta coffee prices and the barriers preventing farmers from accessing futures and options markets. The authors argue that while traditional risk mitigation (like diversification) is costly and inefficient, market-based instruments can make earnings more predictable, provided that intermediaries like local banks and cooperatives are leveraged to bridge the gap between small growers and international exchanges.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) regarding peace and security. It argues against a 'layered response'—where the AU assumes primary responsibility for peacekeeping to reduce UN costs—and instead advocates for an 'interlocking system' of shared logistics, staffing, and strategic management to ensure sustainable conflict prevention and reconstruction in Africa.