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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.

A fact sheet from the Institute for Security Studies detailing the number of military observers, troops, and police contributed by 32 African countries to UN peacekeeping missions as of the end of April 2006.

This research paper introduction by Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos examines the strategic role of modern African 'ethno-national' diasporas and their financial remittances in countries south of the Sahara. The author analyzes how these transfers contribute to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and debt servicing, while also noting the risks of money laundering and the complex political influence these networks exert on their home governments.

This research paper examines the historical and contemporary relationship between African diasporas and their homelands, focusing on political influence, the impact of remittances on national economies, and the social dynamics of migration in Africa south of the Sahara.

This report summarizes a 2004 workshop on renewable energy for decentralized rural electricity in developing countries. It concludes that while technologies like solar PV, mini-hydro, wind, and biomass are available, their adoption is hindered by cost, financing, and technical capacity. The report emphasizes that technology choice must be driven by local needs and productive uses of energy to alleviate poverty. It recommends that donors support national policies, accept higher risks for new technology adaptation, and encourage 'clustering' of projects to ensure sustainable maintenance and service.

This situation report from the Institute for Security Studies provides an update on the military and political progress in Burundi as of March 2004, focusing on the implementation of the November 2003 cease-fire agreement and the potential for a United Nations peacekeeping mission to succeed the African Union's Mission in Burundi (AMIB).

This 2004 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the experiences of South African firms expanding into other African markets. It identifies systemic structural challenges—such as political risk, corruption, and poor infrastructure—while highlighting the growth of South African investment in sectors like banking, telecommunications, retail, and mining. The document provides specific case studies on Uganda, Morocco, Mozambique, and Ghana to illustrate the diverse operating environments across the continent.

This executive summary from the South African Institute of International Affairs describes Mali as a stable, democratic West African country with strong economic growth driven largely by a gold mining boom and South African investment.

The report 'Back to the Blackboard' examines the education crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, arguing that the narrow focus on Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has neglected secondary education and compromised instructional quality. It highlights systemic failures including teacher shortages, poor salaries, corruption, and the devastating impact of HIV/Aids. The document advocates for a comprehensive strategy that integrates secondary schooling, vocational training, and curriculum reform to drive economic growth, drawing lessons from East Asia's successful integration of human capital development and industrial planning.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the outcomes of the 2002 summits in Durban, marking the transition from the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU). It details the establishment of the AU's core governance structures, the protocol for the Peace and Security Council, and various declarations regarding democratic elections and continental development frameworks like NEPAD and CSSDCA.

This case study examines the participatory management of the Samori forest in the commune of Baye, Mali, analyzing the intersection of NGO-led community initiatives, state administration, and the process of democratic decentralization. The author argues that despite the presence of participatory structures, a true democratic decentralization has not occurred because power and decision-making authority remain concentrated with the state and the facilitating NGO, rather than being transferred to representative local institutions.

This document describes a book compiled by Eunice Reyneke in October 2000, which presents the proceedings of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Experts Meeting and International Consultations held from May to June 2000. The publication was intended for distribution at a Governments Ministerial Meeting in Bamako, Mali, from 30 November to 1 December 2000.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the criminal justice system and national security policies in Mali. It details the legal framework for fighting crime, the structure of the judiciary, the challenges of prison management, and the transition toward a 'human security' approach in national security governance.

This research paper assesses Western efforts to develop African peacekeeping capabilities in the late 1990s, specifically focusing on the 'P-3 Initiative' (US, UK, and France) and Danish contributions. The authors argue that while these capacity-building programs provide tangible training and equipment, they are primarily driven by Western domestic political desires to avoid direct military or financial involvement in African conflicts. The document also details the institutional, financial, and operational limitations of African regional bodies like the OAU, SADC, and ECOWAS in managing peace and security independently.

This research paper analyzes the transition of the US-led African Crisis Response Force (ACRF) into the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI) in 1997. It examines the ACRI's focus on long-term capacity-building through military training for African battalions to enhance peacekeeping interoperability, while critiquing the initiative's lack of coordination with the OAU and UN, its reliance on US military doctrine, and the absence of a clear mechanism for deploying the trained forces.

This research paper by the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) examines the relationship between escalating sovereign debt in Africa and the subsequent erosion of human rights. The authors argue that high debt-servicing obligations force governments to implement austerity measures and cut spending on essential public services, thereby compromising basic needs and hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The paper analyzes debt trends, the impact of various relief initiatives, and the role of civil society, ultimately calling for a human rights-based approach to debt management and the cancellation of debts for highly indebted countries.

This fact sheet argues that integrating gender equality into climate change mitigation financing improves project effectiveness and sustainability. Drawing on examples from the GEF and CDM, and case studies from Nepal, Mali, and Colombia, it demonstrates that addressing gender-specific needs and ensuring women's participation in decision-making leads to higher public acceptance, increased ridership in transit, and better economic outcomes for women.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network examines the historical lack of gender consideration in climate change mitigation financing and proposes solutions for integrating gender equality to improve project effectiveness. Through case studies in Nepal, Mali, and Colombia, it demonstrates how gender mainstreaming—including the use of disaggregated data and gender-sensitive action plans—can enhance the sustainability and social impact of emission reduction initiatives.

This policy brief introduces 'Minimum Standards' designed to transition local disaster risk reduction (DRR) from 'business as usual' to 'climate-smart' practices. The standards aim to bridge the gap between national climate adaptation strategies and local capacities by providing practical, achievable benchmarks for communities, civil society organizations, and governments to integrate changing climate risks into their planning and implementation.

This report examines gender gaps in climate change mitigation financing and proposes solutions to improve project efficacy and sustainability. It argues that mitigation efforts have historically been 'gender-neutral,' often overlooking the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and their potential as leaders in solutions. Through case studies in Nepal, Mali, and Colombia, the document demonstrates that integrating gender perspectives from the design phase leads to better economic and social outcomes and higher project sustainability.