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This research paper examines the role of human rights in African international relations, arguing that while there is a robust framework of regional and international treaties, human rights often remain a "variable concern" subordinated to national interests and geopolitical strategies. The author analyzes the tension between international monitoring mechanisms and the pursuit of "African solutions to African problems," specifically highlighting the controversy surrounding the ICC arrest warrant for Omar Al-Bashir and the influence of China's non-interference policy on 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.

A statement by African civil society organizations urging African States Parties to the Rome Statute to maintain their commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and reject an African Union (AU) decision to withhold cooperation in the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

This report summarizes an ISS public seminar analyzing the 13th Ordinary AU Summit. The primary focus was the AU's decision to non-cooperate with the ICC regarding President Al-Bashir, the AU's frustration with the UN Security Council's referral powers, and the potential limitations of the proposed AU Authority.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the political crisis in Chad, analyzing the failure of previous intervention efforts and the interests of domestic and international actors. It argues that while the international community often views the conflict as a spillover from the Darfur crisis, the root causes are internal governance failures and power struggles over state resources, particularly oil. The report evaluates several peace agreements and UN/EU missions, concluding that a lack of political will and coordinated implementation has hindered a sustainable resolution.

The document outlines the conclusions and recommendations from a regional workshop held in Libreville, Gabon, from 21-23 May 2009. The workshop, jointly organized by the African Union (AU) Commission and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), focused on implementing the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) and the ECCAS Border Programme (ECCAS-BP) within Central Africa.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies provides an update on the stalled Juba peace talks between the Government of Uganda (GOU) and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). It analyzes the regionalization of the conflict across Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic (CAR), while evaluating the tension between military solutions and the pursuit of a final peace agreement hampered by International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments and internal LRA feuding.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the economic and political outlook for Africa in 2009, highlighting the risks posed by the global banking crisis, commodity price volatility, and precarious democratic transitions.

The Poznan Declaration is a statement issued on December 9, 2008, by a coalition of international organizations opposing the World Bank Group's involvement in the international climate change convention regime under the UNFCCC. The signatories argue that the World Bank is an inappropriate leader for climate action due to its continued financing of fossil fuels, contribution to deforestation, and lack of democratic governance.

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 report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of China's role as a leading producer, importer, and exporter in the global cotton and textile supply chain. It examines the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental degradation, proposing a transition toward sustainable production practices and a strategic shift in sourcing toward rain-fed regions in Africa to reduce global environmental pressure.

This research paper examines the relationship between governance, corruption, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, arguing that while good governance may not be the primary driver for short-term investment—particularly in resource-rich nations—it is essential for long-term economic stability and resource management.

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 briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the context and agenda of the 10th African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit, held in Addis Ababa from January 31 to February 2, 2008. The document evaluates the AU's effectiveness in conflict management and outlines key discussions regarding the proposed Union Government of Africa and an AU Audit Report on continental integration.

This briefing examines the state of regional integration in Central Africa, focusing on the roles and interactions of the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). It analyzes the institutional frameworks, the impact of colonial legacies, the influence of external actors like France and the EU, and the challenges posed by overlapping memberships and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations.

This research paper examines the conflict between the African Union's (AU) commitment to democracy and its rotational system for selecting the annual chairmanship, specifically regarding Sudan's claim to the position in 2007. The author argues that appointing Omar al-Bashir, amidst the Darfur crisis, would damage the AU's international credibility and operational effectiveness.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the state of Sudan eighteen months after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on 5 January 2005. It analyzes the fragility of the alliance between the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), the impact of Dr. John Garang's death on the 'New Sudan' vision, and the critical challenges regarding the demarcation of the Abyei boundary. The document highlights how peripheral regions like Darfur and the Beja area continue to experience instability, threatening the overall implementation of the peace process.

This research paper examines the challenges faced by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1593 to investigate crimes in Darfur. The author argues that the ICC's success is heavily dependent on the political will and cooperation of the Sudanese government, which has historically obstructed investigators and resisted the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.

This research paper, written by Commander Seth Appiah-Mensah, evaluates the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in Darfur as of March 2006. It analyzes the mission's achievements in humanitarian stability and political mediation against significant challenges, including a restrictive mandate, chronic funding shortages, and a volatile security environment exacerbated by cross-border tensions with Chad. The author argues for a transition to a United Nations mission to ensure sustainable funding and a more robust mandate for the protection of civilians.

This fact sheet provides a list of countries that have signed, ratified, or acceded to the African Union (AU) Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism as of 23 June 2006.