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This research paper by Dr. Solomon A. Dersso examines the role of the African Standby Force (ASF) as a component of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), analyzing its potential and limitations in responding to African conflicts.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of gender and migration in South Africa, arguing that gender-neutral policy approaches increase vulnerabilities for women who migrate independently to meet economic needs or flee war.

This policy brief discusses the election of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, noting its significance for gender equality and the overcoming of linguistic divisions, while outlining three primary institutional challenges for the new leadership.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the rapid pace of urbanisation in Africa, with a specific focus on Nigeria. It highlights the disconnect between rapid population growth in cities and the lack of adequate urban planning, which has led to the proliferation of slums, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability.

This monograph examines disarmament as a key component of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) efforts within African peacekeeping operations. It highlights the necessity of sub-regional contexts in peace efforts, using the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as an example of regional insecurity. The text notes that while disarmament has been attempted in countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Liberia with varying success, Sierra Leone represents a recent successful conclusion of such a programme.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that Europe's increasing focus on returning migrants to Africa may be counterproductive and damaging if costs are ignored.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) response to the North African uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. It argues that the AU's tendency to prioritize state security and sovereignty over human security and democracy was evident in its weak response to these crises. The author suggests that for the AU's 'Year of Shared Values' to be meaningful, the organization must move beyond rhetoric to enforce compliance with democracy and human rights standards through credible sanctions and technical support.

This research paper provides a conceptual framework to distinguish between democracy, elections, and political parties, arguing that while elections are a primary prerequisite for democracy, a credible system requires both credible elections and the participation of credible political parties, particularly within the African context.

This research paper evaluates Africa's progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene) by 2030 using the International Futures forecasting system.

This study evaluates the role of traditional and enlightened women's movements in managing electoral crises in Nigeria and Kenya, contrasting informal traditional methods—such as sex strikes and the display of bare breasts by elderly women—against formal, gendered peace processes in African transitional democracies.

This research paper argues that current humanitarian military interventions in Africa are inadequate because they rely on outdated Cold War peacekeeping doctrines. The author calls for a new 'humanitarian security intervention' doctrine that allows for a higher remit in the use of force to prioritize the restoration of security over simple humanitarian assistance.

This research paper by Dr Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies argues that Africa's high dependency on natural resources creates severe adaptive challenges when facing the combined pressures of climate change and population growth.

This monograph examines the evolving relationship between the African Union (AU) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), focusing on the transition from early support to current tensions highlighted by the arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Peace and Security Council Report No 29 provides analyses on several security challenges across Africa, including the credibility of presidential elections in Liberia, ongoing conflict in Sudan, the expansion of AQIM, political instability in Burundi, and the coordination between the African Peace and Security Architecture (ASPA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

This research paper examines the potential for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute peacekeepers for serious crimes committed in Africa, concluding that the ICC's role will likely be limited due to jurisdictional constraints and the principle of complementarity.

A briefing by the Institute for Security Studies regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting in New York from 4 to 15 May 2009, focusing on the treaty's pillars and the strategic interests of African states leading up to the 2010 Review Conference.

This briefing by Max du Plessis analyzes the Kenyan government's efforts to obstruct International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings regarding the 2007-8 post-election violence. The author argues that Kenya's strategy—seeking a UN Security Council deferral under Article 16 of the Rome Statute—is legally flawed and politically risky, while suggesting a complementary approach where national courts try lower-level perpetrators and the ICC focuses on those with the greatest responsibility.

This report describes an international conference organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ethiopia to examine and enhance cooperation between China and the African Union (AU) regarding peace and security in Africa.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the European Union's proposed priority areas for the Africa-EU strategy do not sufficiently reflect African priorities, specifically those outlined in the Abidjan Declaration and Agenda 2063. The authors urge African negotiators to push for a more holistic, people-centred approach that prioritises poverty eradication, healthcare systems, transport infrastructure, and internet access, while using the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for debt relief and increased health support.

This research paper by Godfrey M Musila examines the potential role of the Pan-African Parliament and the proposed African Court of Justice and Human Rights within a hypothetical continental political union for Africa, arguing that both institutions would require significant reform to function in such a system.