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This seminar report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a two-day event held in September 2010 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The seminar brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to critically examine the nature of post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, specifically questioning the 'liberal peace' model and its practical implementation in Africa.

This research paper argues that current international and regional approaches to humanitarian military interventions in Africa are ineffective because they prioritize humanitarian aid over the restoration of security. The author proposes a new 'humanitarian security intervention' doctrine that emphasizes the coercive use of force to establish security as a prerequisite for humanitarian assistance and long-term peacebuilding.

This report summarizes a seminar held on October 28, 2009, in Addis Ababa, which discussed the development and enhancement of the African Union (AU) sanctions regime. The seminar focused on leveraging United Nations (UN) experience to build a robust AU framework, including the role of the AU's Sanctions Committee and the necessity of combining sanctions with diplomacy and monitoring mechanisms.

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 policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical development and current challenges of establishing democratic accountability and oversight for intelligence services in Africa. It argues that intelligence agencies have traditionally served regime security rather than public security, often facilitating human rights abuses, and outlines the necessary mechanisms and political shifts required to transition toward transparent, democratically governed services.

This trainer's guide, published by the Institute for Security Studies in April 2009, provides a comprehensive training framework for the SARPCCO Generic United Nations Police Officers Course (UNPOC). Based on the UN's Standardised Generic Training Modules (SGTM) Level I, the document is designed to prepare police officers for deployment in peace support operations under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). It covers a wide array of topics including the history and functions of INTERPOL and SARPCCO, the legal frameworks of the UN and AU, conduct and discipline, human rights, safety awareness, and operational techniques such as radio communication and report writing. The guide includes pedagogical tools for trainers, such as lesson plans, case studies, and a detailed field exercise called 'Furugo Kali' to simulate real-world peacekeeping scenarios.

This report summarizes a seminar held on March 20, 2009, in New York, organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to examine the challenges and opportunities in operationalizing the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). The event featured discussions on strengthening the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC), improving synergy between the AU and international organizations like the United Nations (UN), and addressing funding and structural barriers to continental security.

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.

A report on a September 2008 Institute for Security Studies (ISS) seminar regarding post-conflict criminality in Liberia, based on field research into the impact of UNMIL peacekeeping operations on security and development.

This research paper argues that China's engagement with Africa is fundamentally transforming China's own foreign policy and self-conception. While Western perspectives often focus on how China's 'no conditions' approach undermines good governance in Africa, the author contends that ties with African 'pariah and petro-states' are instead reshaping Beijing's diplomatic certitudes, forcing it to move away from its strict principle of non-intervention toward supporting internationally-sanctioned interventions in specific conflicts.

This research paper by Victoria Ayer provides strategic advice for civil society organisations (CSOs) to influence parliaments and achieve legislative change, particularly in developing democracies. It emphasizes the importance of understanding electoral systems, conducting non-partisan research, building long-term relationships with political 'champions', and maintaining organisational legitimacy through financial transparency and community rooting.

This guide, written by Victoria Ayer for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), provides strategic advice for civil society organizations (CSOs) on how to effectively engage with and influence parliaments to achieve legislative and social change. Drawing on the author's experience training over 120 organizations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans, the document emphasizes the importance of understanding electoral systems, building long-term relationships with legislators, and providing high-quality, non-partisan data to fill resource gaps within parliamentary institutions.

This research paper examines the role of transnational organised crime networks and 'middlemen' in fueling African conflicts through the illicit trade of weapons and natural resources. Using the case studies of Leonid Minin and Victor Bout, the document highlights the sophistication of these networks, their use of front companies and tax havens, and the systemic failures of international law enforcement and national legislation to prosecute sanctions-busting activities.

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 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) has failed to translate the identification of problems into actionable solutions. Based on dialogues with 56 business organisations and five studies, the text asserts that government priorities are misaligned with business needs, specifically regarding corruption and infrastructure, and argues that economic prosperity is a prerequisite for long-term political stability in Africa.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the evolving relationship between China and Africa. It argues that African nations must shift from an ideological 'liberation paradigm' to a pragmatic 'economic paradigm' to avoid Chinese dominance and ensure mutual benefit. The author suggests that Africa should leverage China's need for energy resources to secure technology transfer, local development projects, and fairer trade terms, while utilizing the China-Africa Co-operation Forum to coordinate a continent-wide strategy.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs warns that Côte d'Ivoire is at risk of a genocide similar to Rwanda's due to deep-seated insecurities over national identity, economic control, and a political deadlock between President Laurent Gbagbo and rebel forces.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of integrated peacebuilding strategies in post-conflict Liberia between 2003 and 2008. It analyzes the collaboration between the Government of Liberia (GoL) and the United Nations (UN), specifically UNMIL and the UN Country Team, to move from tenuous security to a sustainable peace. The document details the process of identifying 'conflict factors', infusing conflict sensitivity into national policy frameworks like the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), and the challenges of balancing security-oriented benchmarks with long-term peacebuilding goals.

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 report, based on the SA Army Seminar 21, outlines the strategic vision for the South African Army to remain relevant and ready for future security challenges in Africa. It examines the nature of African conflict, the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and SADC Brigade, and the necessity of integrating cultural intelligence, professional leadership, and technological innovation into military doctrine to handle complex, asymmetric, and multi-dimensional peace support operations.