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This research paper examines the 'digital divide' in Africa, exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns, focusing on socio-economic barriers, infrastructure deficits, information access, and government-mandated internet shutdowns. It proposes a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, the corporate sector, the African Union, and global bodies to treat internet access as a basic human right and prioritize infrastructure investment and affordability.

The May 2020 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) challenges in the Sahel, the human rights risks associated with COVID-19 states of emergency, the adaptation of peace support operations (PSOs) to the pandemic, and the economic threat to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also analyzes the potential shift in the global order and the need for Africa to reduce its dependence on external support.

This research report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses South Africa's first year as an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2019-2020 term. It examines the country's efforts to recalibrate its foreign policy under the Ramaphosa administration, its role in fostering African unity among council members, and its leadership during its October 2019 presidency.

The March 2020 Peace & Security Council Report details the African Union's (AU) response to the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability in Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan, geopolitical competition in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the AU's marginal role in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute. It also outlines South Africa's priorities as the 2020 AU chair, focusing on 'Silencing the Guns', the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and gender equality.

This research paper outlines the strategic opportunities for South Africa in 2020 as it concurrently chairs the African Union (AU) and serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The author argues that South Africa can reclaim its continental prestige by focusing on three priority areas: conflict resolution ('Silencing the Guns'), the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), and the improvement of governance through the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

This research paper examines Turkey's strategic efforts to expand its influence in North and East Africa to counter regional isolation and secure energy interests. It focuses on Turkey's military and political support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, its diplomatic tensions with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and France over Mediterranean exclusive economic zones, and its broader 'Open to Africa' policy exemplified by its deep involvement in Somalia.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that South Africa has neglected its historical role as a leader in global peacebuilding and conflict resolution. It calls for a strategic renewal of the country's foreign policy, the professionalisation of its foreign service, and the establishment of a central coordination agency to align peacebuilding with trade and development goals.

This executive summary from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) analyzes the gap between financial commitments and actual disbursements for energy projects in 20 high-impact countries (HICs) across Africa and Asia. Using OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS) data, the report highlights that while energy finance disbursements grew faster than overall development finance between 2013 and 2018, they still significantly lag behind commitments, hindering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

This 2020 report by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) analyzes the gap between financial commitments and actual disbursements for energy access in High-Impact Countries (HICs). Using OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS) data, it evaluates the efficiency of development financing for electricity and clean cooking, identifying systemic delays and project design flaws that hinder the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).

The December 2019–January 2020 issue of the Peace & Security Council Report examines the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council's (PSC) effectiveness in conflict prevention, the challenges of its membership election process, the AU's efforts to rationalise its numerous external partnerships, and the progress of its Youth, Peace and Security agenda.

The executive summary of the 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2019' report analyzes sustainable energy finance from 2013 to 2017, highlighting significant funding gaps for electricity and clean cooking access, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the continued investment in fossil fuels.

This report by the International Peace Institute and the Institute for Security Studies examines the strategic partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) regarding conflict prevention and crisis management. It analyzes the political dynamics between the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), the operational coordination between the UN Secretariat and AU Commission, and the thematic effectiveness of their collaboration across areas such as mediation, elections, and the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative.

The October 2019 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines critical security and governance challenges facing the African Union (AU), focusing on the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, the internationalisation of the Libyan conflict, the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the political crisis in Guinea-Bissau.

This briefing examines the motivations, benefits, and challenges for African nations considering membership in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), noting a significant infrastructure finance gap and differing levels of suitability based on a country's income level.

The September 2019 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the coordination between the African Union (AU) and the UN Security Council (UNSC), the challenges of the AU's 'Amnesty Month' initiative, and specific political crises in the Central African Republic, Sudan, South Africa, and Cameroon.

The July 2019 Peace & Security Council Report examines the progress of African Union (AU) institutional reforms, the coordination between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and specific political transitions in The Gambia and Algeria. It also analyzes the potential for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to stabilize the Horn of Africa and evaluates the 'Silencing the Guns' initiative.

The April 2019 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines critical stability challenges across Africa, focusing on the fragility of peace deals in the Central African Republic and South Sudan, the trend of constitutional amendments to extend presidential terms, and the escalating crises in Cameroon and Sudan.

This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), detailing its establishment in 2003 to improve governance through voluntary peer review. It describes a cycle of initial success, a period of decline between 2008 and 2016 characterized by leadership vacuums and financial mismanagement, and a recent phase of reinvigoration under the leadership of Professor Eddy Maloka and various African heads of state. While the mechanism has expanded its mandate to track Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, the author argues that political reluctance to publish critical reports and a lack of high-level attendance continue to hinder its effectiveness.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the trajectories of political violence in Sudan and South Sudan following the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS). Using ACLED and UCDP GED data, it examines whether these agreements resolved, reshaped, or perpetuated violence, concluding that while the CPA ended a long civil war, it left other conflict systems unaddressed and reinforced a pattern of state-led political violence. In South Sudan, the ARCSS is described as having failed due to poor implementation and a 'winner-takes-all' political framework that incentivized continued violent competition for power.

This report analyzes Egypt's 2019 chairmanship of the African Union (AU), highlighting its focus on economic goals and regional repositioning, while noting significant policy gaps regarding governance and the need for Egypt to ratify the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) agreement.