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This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the aftermath of Kenya's 2007 post-election violence, focusing on the challenges of implementing electoral reforms and transitional justice. It analyzes the findings of the Kriegler and Waki Commissions and the political tensions within the Grand Coalition Government regarding the prosecution of perpetrators versus the granting of amnesty.

The Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2009, provides a framework for conservation NGOs and protected area authorities to integrate conflict sensitivity into their operations. The guide aims to help practitioners minimize the risk of inadvertently exacerbating conflicts and maximize opportunities for peacebuilding, particularly in conflict zones where natural resources can be both a source of tension and a foundation for stability.

This practitioner's guide, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), provides a framework for integrating conflict sensitivity into conservation activities. It aims to help NGOs and protected area managers minimize the risk of inadvertently exacerbating conflicts and maximize opportunities for peacebuilding, particularly in volatile regions where natural resource management often intersects with social and political tensions.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ASB-ICRAF) outlines key messages for the Copenhagen climate talks based on workshops held in Vietnam and Kenya. It advocates for the inclusion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and agriculture in international climate agreements, while emphasizing the need for balanced measurement requirements, regional cooperation to prevent leakage, and a phased implementation approach to support varying levels of national capacity.

This summary report details an expert meeting held in August 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on updating livestock identification and traceability systems (LITS) to combat cattle rustling and improve food safety. The meeting aimed to analyze the Branding Act (CAP 357) and develop new rules, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SoPs) to incorporate electronic systems (ELITS).

This concept note outlines a proposed workshop organized by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to develop a regional response strategy for law enforcement agents to combat piracy in Eastern Africa.

This report details the proceedings of the Africa Trade and Climate Change Dialogue held in Johannesburg on May 7-8, 2009. The event, organized by ICTSD, IISD, and SAIIA, brought together African trade officials, policy-makers, and experts to examine the intersection of trade policy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. The dialogue focused on identifying policy priorities and research gaps to prepare African countries for the UNFCCC Copenhagen summit, specifically addressing vulnerabilities in agriculture, the need for predictable financing, and the diffusion of low-carbon technologies.

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 examines the historical context of superpower competition in Africa during the Cold War and analyzes the potential implications of a 'new' Cold War or a shift toward multi-polarity between the West and Russia for African states.

This report analyzes the land-based conflict in the Mount Elgon region of Western Kenya, focusing on the emergence and activities of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) militia. It examines how colonial land alienation and failed post-colonial resettlement schemes created deep-seated grievances among the Sabaot community, specifically the Soy and Mosop clans. The document details the escalation of violence, the state's transition from police to military intervention (Operation Okoa Maisha), and the resulting human rights abuses committed by both the militia and the Kenyan army.

This 2008 briefing outlines South Africa's objectives for the 63rd UN General Assembly, emphasizing the 'African Agenda,' the mid-term review of the Millennium Development Goals, and the promotion of South-South cooperation via partnerships like IBSA. It highlights the use of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a development milestone and South Africa's push to democratize the UN by increasing the powers of the General Assembly.

This research paper by Raymond Louw argues that a free and independent media is an indispensable component of good political governance and a cornerstone of democracy. The author criticizes the African Union's (AU) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for omitting media freedom from its criteria for good governance, suggesting this exclusion allows authoritarian states to achieve passing ratings. Through case studies of South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda, the paper demonstrates that these countries fail to recognize the media's essential watchdog role in their APRM reports. The document also highlights the 'Declaration of Table Mountain' and the prevalence of 'insult laws' across Africa that criminalize critical reporting of public officials.

This research paper by Raymond Louw, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in September 2008, argues that free and independent media are essential for good governance and democratic accountability. The author criticizes the African Union's (AU) African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) for omitting media freedom from its criteria for good governance, suggesting this exclusion is likely due to the prevalence of 'insult laws' across the continent. The paper examines case studies from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa, concluding that none of these countries fully recognize the media's 'watchdog' role in their national reports. It also discusses the 'Table Mountain Declaration' and provides specific proposals to integrate media freedom into the APRM questionnaire.

This report summarizes a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) on August 25, 2008, in Pretoria. The event focused on the Pan African Parliament's (PAP) role in promoting democracy, good governance, and accountability, specifically through the lens of election observation and monitoring in Africa.

This document is an executive summary of a one-day consultative workshop held on August 8, 2008, in Nairobi, Kenya. Organized by the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Africa Human Security Initiative-Institute for Security Studies, the workshop aimed to use the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to assess security governance in Kenya, specifically addressing the 2007 post-election violence and the role of militia groups.

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 Robert Mattes, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues that representative public opinion surveys are essential for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve a comprehensive national self-assessment. The author contrasts the limitations of 'participatory' public consultations with the precision of random probability sampling and provides a technical framework for conducting credible surveys in Africa, including sampling stages, cost estimates, and the necessity of avoiding 'head of household' bias.

A speech by Doris Murimi, Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), marking the launch of a joint Environmental Crime Project with the East African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) in Entebbe, Uganda, on July 30-31, 2008.

A speech delivered by Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Minister of Internal Affairs, at the launch of the EAPCCO-ISS Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe on July 30-31, 2008. The address outlines the scale of environmental crime in East Africa and the objectives of a new regional partnership to strengthen law enforcement capacity.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) submitted a report to the South African Parliament on 28 July 2008 regarding the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill and the South African Police Service Amendment Bill. The ISS argues for the retention of the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure independence from executive and political interference, particularly in high-level corruption and money laundering investigations.