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This research paper examines the failure of service delivery in South Africa, specifically focusing on riots in the Free State province triggered by the 'bucket system' of sanitation. It argues that increasing financial resources is insufficient to alleviate poverty if the government lacks the administrative capacity, skilled personnel, and accountability mechanisms to implement projects.

A case study on the South African government's use of Asset Procurement and Operating Partnership Systems (APOPS) to establish two maximum security private prisons in Bloemfontein and Louis Trichardt.

A case study on the N4 toll road concession between South Africa and Mozambique, detailing the financing, risk management, and regional economic impacts of the project operated by Trans-African Concessions (TRAC).

This research paper argues that African countries, particularly within the SADC region, should adopt biotechnology and genetic modification to combat food insecurity and climate-change-induced droughts. The author contends that current regulatory stances in Africa are overly influenced by external pressures from the European Union and the Cartagena Protocol, leading to 'regulatory overkill' that may conflict with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and hinder the timely delivery of food relief.

This research paper examines the potential for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) and India, arguing that the agreement is likely to be 'commercially shallow' due to low non-gold trade volumes, competing industrial interests, and India's strategic prioritization of Asia.

A research paper analyzing the economic opportunities and risks for Southern Africa resulting from China's global emergence, highlighting a shift in South Africa's exports toward primary resources.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of South African business investment in Africa, contrasting the high risks and low foreign direct investment (FDI) levels on the continent with the strategic success and high returns achieved by South African firms.

A statement by South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota outlining the South African Navy's role in supporting an 'African Renaissance' through secondary functions such as peace support, environmental protection, border control, and disaster relief.

The National Chairman's Annual Statement 2008 from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) discusses South Africa's evolving role in global affairs as it approaches the 2009 elections. The statement emphasizes the link between domestic governance and international credibility, outlining three critical tests for the state: responsible leadership during political transition, the resilience of democratic institutions, and the quality of policy implementation in areas such as climate change and conflict resolution. It further addresses regional instability in Africa, the influence of emerging powers like China and India, and the necessity of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

This report documents a scoping workshop held in April 2008 by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS). The workshop aimed to develop a framework for civil society organizations (CSOs) to monitor the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and its National Programmes of Action (NPoA), specifically focusing on the creation of the APRM Monitoring and Advocacy Template (AMAT).

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the economic, social, and political barriers preventing the adoption of clean cooking fuels in sub-Saharan Africa. It contrasts traditional biomass fuels with modern alternatives like LPG, ethanol, and biogas, highlighting how high capital costs, underdeveloped infrastructure, and socio-cultural norms sustain dependence on inefficient fuels. The authors propose a policy framework involving national bureaus, targeted subsidies, and community-led design to facilitate a transition to cleaner energy.

This research paper by Romy Chevallier of the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the shift in French foreign policy toward Africa under President Nicolas Sarkozy. It describes a transition from 'la Françafrique'—characterized by colonial ties and personal relationships with corrupt elites—toward a multilateral 'Eurafrique' model based on economic partnerships and European integration.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) examines the domestic implementation of the Rome Statute in five African countries: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It finds that while these states ratified the statute, none had enacted implementing legislation by early 2008, leaving them unable to fully respond to International Criminal Court (ICC) requests for arrest and surrender or to prosecute international crimes domestically. The report identifies systemic barriers, including a lack of political priority, capacity shortfalls in legal drafting, and concerns over official immunities.

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 research paper by the Institute for Security Studies provides a progress update on the establishment of the African Standby Force (ASF), a multidisciplinary force designed to enable the African Union (AU) to respond to conflicts through peace support missions and interventions.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs assesses South Africa's foreign policy, economic relations, and security role within Africa since 1994. It highlights the transition from the 'principled' approach of the Mandela era to the 'pragmatic' African Renaissance agenda under Thabo Mbeki, while noting the tensions between South Africa's regional economic dominance and its desire to avoid being perceived as a 'big brother'.

This document outlines the legal regulations and procedures for the expropriation of land or land rights on behalf of an electricity licensee in South Africa, as established under the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that genetically modified (GM) crops have not contributed to reducing hunger or poverty and are unsuitable for small-scale farmers due to high seed costs and patent restrictions. The document asserts that GM crops do not increase yields, often increase pesticide use, and primarily benefit large-scale industrial farmers in a few countries through 'convenience' rather than productivity.

This 2008 research paper examines how International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms may constrain the ability of states to protect and promote human rights. It finds that most IIAs are silent on human rights obligations for investors and that the confidentiality of arbitration processes often undermines public accountability. The author argues that stabilization clauses in Host Government Agreements further limit the state's right to regulate and recommends the creation of model language to integrate human rights values into future investment treaties.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), an innovative governance assessment tool launched in 2002 under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad). It details the APRM's five-stage review process, its continental and national institutional structures, and the practical challenges faced by 'pioneer' countries in implementing these rigorous, participatory assessments.