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The report examines the political and security shifts in Mali following the 2013 French military intervention. It notes a temporary strengthening of the interim presidency and a marginalization of the military junta, while highlighting the extreme difficulty of stabilizing the north due to the porous nature of armed groups and the lack of public trust in the MNLA. The author argues that while military gains were made, long-term stability requires deep governance reforms and a credible, inclusive electoral process rather than a simple return to the pre-coup political order.

The February 2013 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on critical security threats and political transitions across Africa. It focuses heavily on the upcoming general elections in Kenya, the military intervention and political transition in Mali, and the protection of women and children in armed conflict. Additionally, it reviews the outcomes of the 20th AU Assembly summit, including discussions on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, and Somalia.

This briefing is a concept note for a conference titled "The APRM +10: Reviewing a Decade of Peer Learning and Projecting a Future of Governance in Africa," scheduled for May 17–18, 2013, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event aims to bring together African civil society organisations (CSOs) and governance structures to appraise the first ten years of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and plan for its second decade.

This briefing from the Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis (CPRA) division of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) discusses reports of secret peace talks between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram in December 2012, analyzing the incoherence of the government's strategy and recommending a shift from military-oriented responses to political and preventive governance.

The November 2012 Peace and Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on critical security threats in Africa, focusing on political instability in Madagascar, the crisis in Mali, the rise of al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorism, and the evolution of the African Union's (AU) civilian and legislative capacities.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political and security crisis in Mali following the March 2012 coup d'état. It examines the challenges of the transitional government, the efforts to manage the insurgency in northern Mali, the necessity of rebuilding the Malian army, and the complexities of planning an international military intervention and presidential elections.

This August 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analyses on political and security crises in Mali, Libya, Angola, and Somalia, while examining the evolving role of China in African peace and security efforts.

This research paper evaluates the first ten years of the African Union (AU), contrasting its developmental mandate with the decolonisation focus of its predecessor, the OAU. It examines the AU's progress in governance, institutional infrastructure, and peacekeeping, while highlighting a loss of momentum in conflict resolution and a gap between ambitious goals and structural realities.

This December 2011 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides security analyses and early warning assessments for the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC). It focuses on the fragile post-election landscape in Liberia, escalating border conflicts and humanitarian crises between Sudan and South Sudan, the expanding threat of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) across the Sahel, and political instability in Burundi. Additionally, it examines the partnership and occasional divergences between the PSC and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the internal, regional, and international security implications following the death of Muammar Gaddafi on 20 October 2011. It examines the challenges facing the National Transitional Council (NTC) in managing armed militias and oil revenues, the risk of arms proliferation across the Sahel and Maghreb, and the geopolitical opportunities for South Africa and the African Union (AU) to influence the transition and strengthen regional security mechanisms.

The October 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on peace and security issues across Africa, focusing on the volatile situation in Darfur, the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria, and political instability and terrorism threats in Niger. It also details the upcoming African Union Commission elections and regional counter-terrorism efforts.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the use of business delegations accompanying the South African president on state visits as a tool for economic diplomacy. It analyzes the benefits and challenges of this practice, particularly under President Zuma's administration starting in 2009, and proposes a new model to improve the coordination and effectiveness of private sector participation in foreign policy.

The June 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis on security crises in South Sudan, Uganda, and Madagascar, alongside a retrospective on African border disputes and an examination of drug trafficking in West Africa.

This February 2011 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis and country updates for the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC). It focuses on the political instability in Tunisia following the ousting of President Ben Ali, the security and minority rights challenges surrounding the South Sudan referendum, the electoral stalemate and potential for civil war in Côte d’Ivoire, and the long-standing territorial dispute over Western Sahara. Additionally, it discusses the AU's focus on 'shared values' as a foundation for continental integration.

This research paper by Ruchita Beri for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of India's relations with African nations. It analyzes the transition from an early policy based on ideological support for decolonization and non-alignment to a more pragmatic approach centered on economic diplomacy, energy security, and capacity building. The document details trade growth, diverse investment patterns across various sectors, and technical cooperation initiatives, while discussing the geopolitical drivers and challenges India faces in its engagement with the continent.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolving partnership between India and Africa, focusing on the strategic role of energy security. It argues that while energy is a primary driver of closer ties, the relationship is multi-dimensional, encompassing trade, defence, and capacity building. The authors analyze India's efforts to diversify its energy imports to reduce dependence on West Asia, the competitive yet non-antagonistic dynamics between India and China in Africa, and the necessity of good governance to avoid the 'resource curse'.

This research paper examines the establishment of the JinFei Economic and Trade Co-operation Zone (ETCZ) in Mauritius. It analyzes how the Mauritian government successfully attracted Chinese investment despite lacking the natural resources or large market size typically targeted by Chinese ETCZs in Africa, positioning the island as a strategic business platform between Asia and Africa.

This report summarizes a conference held on May 31, 2011, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The event brought together experts, diplomats, and academics to analyze the causes and implications of the 2011 popular revolutions in North Africa, specifically in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, while also examining the situations in Algeria and Morocco and the potential for similar unrest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This workshop report, published by the Institute for Security Studies in 2011, documents a gathering in Johannesburg focused on the advances, challenges, and prospects of policing oversight in Africa. It examines the necessity of accountability to protect human rights, analyzes regional frameworks such as SADC and the East African Community, and provides case studies from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. The report outlines a plan of action to strengthen oversight through education, networking, and legislative reform.

This report, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the concept and application of "best practices" within the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It analyzes 12 Country Review Reports (CRRs) to identify indigenous governance solutions and argues that a lack of conceptual clarity regarding what constitutes a "best practice" hinders the APRM's ability to facilitate peer learning and sustainable reform across the continent.