Search Climate Insights Directory

The authors examine the rise of Security Force Assistance (SFA)—the training and equipping of foreign armed forces—as a preferred alternative to large-scale combat deployments and expensive security sector reform. They argue that in fragile states, SFA often fails because providers misread local political dynamics, where ruling elites may manipulate security fragmentation for their own survival. The paper critiques the standard principal-agent theory of SFA, suggesting it lacks the nuance to account for the heterogeneity of programs and the lack of cohesiveness among multiple providers and recipients. Through various case studies, the authors highlight unintended consequences, such as the creation of elite units that serve as instruments for regime protection rather than national security.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the gap between the African Union's (AU) normative commitments to democracy and human rights and the actual foreign policies of its member states. The author argues that strong sovereignty norms and a state-centric approach have hindered the domestication of human rights, leading to a state of 'stasis' or reversal in several countries. The brief recommends that the AU embrace global partnerships with civil society and that pivotal states like South Africa rejuvenate human rights as a core pillar of their external engagements to ensure continental stability.

The document examines the shift in India's Africa policy from Cold War-era support for anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles to a modern approach centered on economic diplomacy and energy security. While India seeks to secure crude oil and LNG to fuel its projected economic growth, the author argues that its engagement remains 'development friendly' and 'Third Worldist,' evidenced by diversified trade, capacity-building initiatives, and multilateral cooperation through forums like IBSA.

The report examines how water resources in Senegal intersect with poverty alleviation and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While progress has been made in urban water supply, rural sanitation remains a challenge. The study highlights a heavy reliance on groundwater, the role of the Senegal River Basin in food security, and the vulnerability of coastal zones to sea-level rise. It argues for a more holistic Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach that includes rainwater harvesting and better local community participation to ensure sustainable development.

The text outlines a strategy for gender transformation in Sub-Saharan African agriculture by moving away from "power over" dynamics toward "power with," "power to," and "power within." It introduces a conceptual framework based on three interconnected dimensions: agency (the ability to make and act on choices), structure (the visible laws and invisible cultural norms), and relations (the networks and partnerships individuals form). The author argues that targeted projects for women often fail if they do not simultaneously address access to productive assets and the broader social structures that restrict women's decision-making power. The framework emphasizes that sustainable change requires engaging men as allies and coordinating actions across individual, household, community, and institutional levels.

The document outlines the evolution of the weADAPT platform, detailing how the Stockholm Environment Institute overcame barriers to knowledge-sharing through technical redesigns, relationship-building, and a distributed management model. It emphasizes that successful knowledge platforms require active content management, face-to-face user engagement, and a focus on supporting decision-making rather than just providing information.