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This research paper examines the role of land tenure, migration, and competition for agricultural and pastoral land as structural and proximate causes of violent conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically in the Kivu provinces and Ituri Territory. The authors argue that colonial-era dual property systems and post-colonial patrimonial rule under Mobutu transformed land from a communal social asset into a currency of political power and economic wealth, marginalizing rural populations and fueling ethnic tensions.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the political transition and disarmament initiatives in Burundi during 2004. It examines the structures established under the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement, the challenges of integrating rebel factions into a national army, and the role of international peacekeeping forces in facilitating a peaceful transition to elections.

This report chapter by Kees Kingma examines the processes and impacts of demobilising military personnel in Africa, focusing on how the transition from military to civilian life affects peace, security, and human development.

This report, prepared by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for a special session in Tripoli, provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges to peace and security in Africa. It details the institutional framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the economic and human costs of conflict, and the status of various regional crises, including those in Somalia, Sudan, and the Great Lakes region. The document emphasizes the need for African ownership of peace efforts, the importance of structural conflict prevention, and the strengthening of partnerships with international bodies like the UN and EU.

This report examines the political opportunities and challenges facing President Felix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during his first year in office. It highlights the tension between Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila, whose FCC coalition maintains a dominant majority in Parliament. The author argues that for Tshisekedi to succeed and secure a second term in 2023, he must shift the political balance, reform the CENI and Constitutional Court, and address dire socio-economic needs. The report also discusses the necessity of a regional approach to peace in the eastern DRC involving Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, and suggests that the international community can support transformational change by promoting transparency in the mining sector via IMF engagement.

This report provides a civil society perspective on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF). It examines the intersection of national epidemiology, political-economic crises, and military policies, highlighting the high prevalence of HIV within the armed forces and the risks associated with external deployments.

This document consists of Annex VI and three Protocols of an agreement between the European Community and ACP (African, Caribbean, and Pacific) States. It defines the lists of least-developed, landlocked, and island ACP States, establishes rules for the operating expenditure and privileges of joint institutions, and outlines the qualified status of South Africa's participation in the agreement.

This statement provides closing remarks for a conference on air power and asymmetric threats in Africa. It argues that African militaries should lead the debate on asymmetric warfare based on their own experiences, emphasizes the need to adapt air power doctrine to a complex security environment, and asserts that security and development are interdependent prerequisites for the continent's future.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies provides a scoping study on peace and security in East Africa, focusing on the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes regions. It analyzes conflict dynamics, state fragility, and the effectiveness of regional and national interventions, concluding that the region remains fragile despite some governance gains.

This monograph examines the role of peacekeeping missions in the Burundi peace process, detailing the transition from the South African Protection Support Detachment (SAPSD) to the African Union Mission in Burundi (AMIB) and subsequently the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB). It analyzes the diplomatic efforts led by Nelson Mandela and Jacob Zuma, the implementation of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programs, the challenges of security sector reform, and the electoral processes that led to the 2005 elections and the eventual integration of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the socio-economic challenges facing demobilised military personnel in South Africa, specifically those from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It combines a survey of former combatants with comparative case studies from Uganda, Cambodia, Nicaragua, and El Salvador to argue that successful reintegration depends on long-term economic stability and marketable skills rather than short-term cash gratuities. The document highlights a pattern of unemployment and social instability among South African veterans and provides recommendations for a future 'rationalisation' process to avoid repeating past failures.

This monograph by Afua Twum-Danso examines the phenomenon of child soldiering in Africa, challenging the notion that it is a product of African culture. Instead, the author argues that the recruitment and deployment of children are driven by socio-economic instability, political agendas, and pragmatic military strategies. The report provides a comprehensive overview of recruitment methods, the roles children play in conflicts, and the long-term physical and psychological consequences of their participation, with a specific focus on the often-overlooked experiences of girl soldiers.

This research paper provides a historical analysis of civil-military relations in Malawi, tracing the evolution of the state's security apparatus from the pre-colonial Maravi Kingdom through British colonial rule and the one-party state under Hastings Kamuzu Banda to the current multi-party system. It examines the role of the Malawi Army and the Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) as instruments of both state security and political control, highlighting the transition toward professional civilian oversight and international peacekeeping roles after 1994.

This research paper analyzes the South African Defence Review process (1996–1998) and the 1995 Defence White Paper, arguing that while the process was historically inclusive and democratic, the resulting force design relied too heavily on traditional Western concepts of 'primary function' (territorial sovereignty) at the expense of more frequent 'secondary functions' (internal stability and regional support).

This report analyzes the limitations of international interventions in the security sector of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), specifically focusing on Security Sector Reform (SSR) and the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS). The authors argue that these efforts failed to produce fundamental change because they adopted a technical approach that ignored the neo-patrimonial political nature of the Congolese state and the complex relationship between the military and local communities.

This research paper examines the relationship between the extraction of precious stones—specifically diamonds, coltan, and gold—and the perpetuation of armed conflicts in Southern Africa, with a focus on Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It analyzes how these resources fund rebel movements and governments, the challenges law enforcement faces in policing illicit trade, and proposes regulatory reforms to decouple resource wealth from conflict.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes major demographic, economic, technological, urban, and socio-political transitions in Africa through 2035. Using the International Futures forecasting system, the authors highlight a general positive trend but warn that rapid population growth, fragile democratic foundations, and infrastructure gaps may compound poverty and instability if not addressed by strategic governance and investment.

This preface describes a collaborative publication by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) focused on the environmental dimensions and causes of conflicts in Africa, specifically regarding land tenure.

This January 2013 report from the Institute for Security Studies provides an analysis of peace and security issues across Africa, focusing on the M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the performance of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the state of North African Regional Economic Communities, and the implementation of the Treaty of Pelindaba regarding nuclear-weapon-free zones.

This report by Hans Romkema of the Life & Peace Institute analyzes the conflict dynamics in the Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It argues that while foreign interventions and refugee influxes have exacerbated the situation, the root causes are grounded in long-term bad governance, disputes over land and customary rights, and ethnic tensions. The author examines the internal divisions within the RCD-G, the structure of the Mayi-Mayi militias, and the challenges of the DDRRR (disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, reintegration, and resettlement) process, particularly regarding the FDLR. The report concludes that sustainable peace requires a focus on governance, the unification of the army, and cooperative economic and security relations between the DRC and Rwanda.