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The authors use the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study to examine the role of governance in societal transformation, arguing against the belief that climate-resilient development can be engineered through purely rational policy decisions. They propose that navigating the 'turbulent nature of transformation' requires solidarity, socially equitable governance, and inclusive politics.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) convened a youth working meeting on 8 October 2020 to determine the priorities for a civil society submission to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Participants defined a 'picture of success' for South Africa, emphasizing the need for committed leadership, youth representation in decision-making, and the eradication of gender-based violence and corruption. The meeting identified a broad range of governance concerns, including unemployment, climate change, and the digital divide, which will be organized into 12 working groups to develop evidence-based recommendations by January 2021.

South Africa demonstrated strong leadership as AU chair by coordinating a continental response to COVID-19, including the establishment of regional task forces and a medical supplies platform. However, this soft power is undermined by persistent institutionalised xenophobia and a 'South Africans first' political discourse that marginalises African migrants. The author argues that domestic treatment of African nationals is a critical indicator of South Africa's leadership potential and warns that economic instability and corruption further exacerbate these internal cleavages.

The document analyzes the drivers of instability in the Great Lakes region, emphasizing that while the DRC's governance failures are often blamed, the political repression and economic interests of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are equally significant. It highlights the role of illegal mineral extraction and the export of internal political conflicts into the eastern DRC. The author suggests that the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi provides an opportunity for a positive shift in regional dynamics, provided there is a fundamental reframing of the conflict narrative and a shift in international diplomatic approaches. The paper evaluates existing frameworks like the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF) and recommends a high-level mediation process led by the African Union.

The briefing advocates for mainstreaming anti-corruption objectives into financial investigations of natural resource crimes. It argues that while 'follow the money' (FTM) techniques are emerging, they often focus on the proceeds of crime rather than the corruption that facilitates it. The authors suggest that integrating anti-corruption efforts can help identify high-level criminal actors and disrupt the supply chains of illegal wildlife, timber, and fisheries trade. The document highlights barriers such as inter-agency silos and political disincentives, and provides policy recommendations for public agencies, private financial institutions, and donors to enhance detection and enforcement through multi-agency taskforces and tailored risk assessments.

The Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Anti-Corruption, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Fraud Policy mandates a zero-tolerance approach to financial misconduct for all staff, board members, and funded partners. It defines various forms of corruption—including grand and petty corruption, bribery, embezzlement, and extortion—and outlines a reporting structure led by a Compliance Officer. The policy details disciplinary actions, including dismissal and criminal prosecution, and provides protections for whistleblowers acting in good faith. To mitigate risk, SEforALL implements 'Know Your Service Provider' due diligence, background checks for new staff, and a three-year policy review cycle.

The paper argues that Bolivia's response to Covid-19 was undermined by a deep political crisis following the disputed exit of Evo Morales and the installation of an interim government under Jeanine Áñez. This lack of legitimacy led to a deadlock between the executive and the MAS-led legislature, resulting in the failure to secure IMF loans, disputes over the legality of emergency powers, and the repeated postponement of elections. Public trust further eroded due to corruption in medical procurement and the perceived selective application of quarantine measures, leading to widespread protests and a perception that the pandemic was being politicized for electoral gain.

The author warns that President Alassane Ouattara's decision to seek a third term in Côte d’Ivoire, based on the claim that the 2016 constitution reset the term counter, risks triggering instability similar to the 2000 and 2010/2011 crises. The text highlights a broader trend of 'third-term' attempts in Africa, citing examples in Guinea and Burundi, and calls on the AU and ECOWAS to treat such constitutional manipulations as unconstitutional changes of government.

Corruption Watch and the Public Affairs Research Institute call for decisive leadership and civil society collaboration in the drafting of South Africa's Public Procurement Bill. The authors argue that the pandemic-related corruption and the legacy of state capture highlight critical weaknesses in the current system, which requires a radical overhaul to ensure transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance.

The document argues that mitigating violent extremism in Southern Africa requires leveraging the youth demographic, who are both victims and perpetrators of the insurgency in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. It highlights that youth vulnerability to radicalisation is driven by governance deficits, poverty, and marginalisation. The brief recommends that the Mozambican government, SADC, and the AU move beyond military responses to include youth-led interventions such as interfaith dialogue, policy advocacy for empowerment, and support for the reintegration of former fighters.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) conducted a Zoom workshop on 31 August 2020 to engage youth advocates and organisations in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process. The session aimed to empower civil society to develop a written submission identifying up to twelve pressing issues facing South African youth, treating youth participation as a cross-cutting governance issue. The workshop highlighted the socio-economic challenges facing South African youth, including a 54% unemployment rate among youth in 2018, and established a follow-up training seminar for 22 September 2020 to detail the drafting process.

The monograph evaluates the African Union's (AU) 'Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020' (STGIA2020) initiative, concluding that the continent is far from achieving a conflict-free state. While the AU established coordinating structures and the 2016 Lusaka Master Roadmap, progress is hampered by conceptual confusion, institutional weaknesses, and a lack of political will among member states. The report highlights the critical role of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) proliferation, driven by foreign imports—particularly from Russia—and local craft production. It identifies governance deficits, youth unemployment, and foreign military presence as key drivers of instability. The authors recommend redefining the initiative as a multi-year programme focused on arms control and strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

The IAI has launched the STeP Fellowship Program, starting with a pilot in Argentina's agricultural sector involving three post-doctoral scientists funded by CREA and CONICET. Modeled after the AAAS program, STeP aims to place scientists in government or private organizations to facilitate the integration of scientific knowledge into policy processes across Latin America and the Caribbean.

A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) to Tokiso Dispute Settlement (Pty) Ltd regarding the management of Multi-Stakeholder Reference Group (MSRG) and Implementation Task Team (ITT) meetings for air quality priority areas in South Africa.

The report details a consultation between the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), and various civil society organisations (CSOs) to determine the focus of Botswana's APRM submission. Based on a non-scientific survey of 24 CSOs, the meeting identified approximately 20 major governance concerns, including the lack of separation of powers, rampant corruption, and high inequality. The group discussed the need to narrow these down to 12 key issues, debating whether the final submission should adopt a problem-solving tone or remain critical of the government. Participants from Zambia and Namibia provided comparative perspectives on evidence-based submissions and common regional issues like gender-based violence and land reform.

The report finds that 44% of the 330 climate adaptation actions in the KJIP are underway or complete, indicating that implementation is generally on track. While strategies related to governance, health, education, and disaster risk management show strong progress, others—particularly those concerning finance, sovereignty, and the private sector—suffer from low implementation and reporting rates due to capacity constraints and competing priorities in executive agencies.

The MIGNEX Handbook Chapter 7 outlines the methodology for a large-scale survey of 12,500 young adults (aged 18-39) across 25 research areas in ten countries. It details a three-stage probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) cluster sampling strategy using satellite imagery and random walks to ensure representativeness. The guide specifies the use of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) via SurveyCTO software to improve data quality and efficiency. It establishes rigorous protocols for research ethics, including oral informed consent, and defines a multi-layered quality assurance framework involving enumerators, fieldwork supervisors, and data managers. The document also provides a detailed survey instrument covering themes such as migration aspirations, livelihoods, health, and governance.

The document examines the African Peer Review Mechanism's (APRM) drive for universal membership, arguing that while a worthy goal, the organization must first address its backlog of 'slow states' and improve the implementation of National Programmes of Action (NPoAs). It highlights that 40 of 55 African states have joined, but many have failed to undergo first reviews or progress to second reviews. The authors warn that 'targeted reviews' may allow governments to avoid sensitive issues and suggest that the APRM adopt stricter measures, similar to the OGP or EITI, to handle inactive members.

The document examines the complex climate finance landscape in Kenya, where a wide range of funding sources and a devolved governance model create coordination challenges. It identifies technical barriers such as capacity gaps and fragmented funding, alongside political barriers including a lack of high-level political will and diverging agendas between the government and development partners. The authors argue that while technical measures are necessary, they are insufficient without addressing underlying political priorities and shifting the government's focus to better include bilateral donors, who provide the majority of the country's climate finance.

The report details a Zoom workshop held on 20 May 2020, organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO). The session aimed to build the capacity of Botswana's civil society organisations (CSOs) to participate in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) by providing an overview of the mechanism and sharing lessons from Namibia and Zambia. Key discussions focused on the importance of inclusive National Governing Councils (NGC), the role of umbrella bodies like BOCONGO in coordinating CSOs, and the challenges of maintaining momentum and independence from government. The workshop also addressed the impact of COVID-19 on the process and outlined a plan for CSOs to develop evidence-based written submissions on up to 12 key governance issues in Botswana.