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This research paper explores the complexities of resource governance in Africa, examining how the extraction of minerals and oil often triggers conflict driven by greed and grievance. The author argues for a transition from violent political struggle to a discourse of cooperation and the creation of transparent institutional structures to ensure that resource wealth benefits local communities and national development rather than fueling instability.

This communiqué summarizes the outcomes of a conference held in Kampala, Uganda, on July 20-21, 2010, focused on strengthening the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Participants, including civil society and government representatives, identified critical areas for improvement to ensure the mechanism's relevance and effectiveness in promoting democracy and good governance across Africa.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), arguing that despite criticisms regarding its ability to hold heads of state accountable, the system has successfully institutionalized governance monitoring, spurred national reforms, and promoted peer learning across the continent.

This research paper examines the economic impact of the 2010 European airspace closure caused by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland on African trade. It highlights the vulnerability of agricultural exports—specifically perishables like flowers—and argues that the crisis serves as a wake-up call for African nations to diversify their export destinations beyond Europe to include South-South trade partners like Brazil, India, and China.

This research paper summarizes a February 2010 roundtable discussion hosted by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding the progress and future prospects of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). The discussion, featuring representatives from the UN Economic Commission for Africa, the APRM Secretariat, and civil society, evaluates the mechanism's achievements in promoting governance and accountability across Africa while identifying systemic failures in implementation, funding, and leadership.

This research paper evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), highlighting its achievements in promoting governance and self-reflection among African states while warning of current crises regarding transparency, leadership integrity, and the marginalization of civil society.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) critiques South Africa's First Report on the Implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Programme of Action. The author argues that the government's report is a superficial exercise in 'malicious compliance,' failing to provide evidence of progress specifically linked to the APRM's National Programme of Action (NPoA) and instead relying on general achievements since the 1994 democratic transition.

This research paper examines the relationship between protected areas (PAs) and conflict, arguing that conservation interventions are inherently political and can either exacerbate or mitigate tensions. The authors propose the adoption of Peace and Conflict Impact Assessments (PCIAs)—tools used in the humanitarian and development sectors—to ensure that Transboundary Protected Areas (TBPAs) contribute to peacebuilding and adhere to 'do no harm' principles, particularly in conflict-prone regions.

This 2010 training manual by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive framework for law enforcement agencies in Eastern and Southern Africa to identify, investigate, and prosecute environmental crimes. It covers the foundations of environmental law, the technical processes of inspection and evidence gathering, and the legal requirements for criminal prosecution, emphasizing a participant-centered learning approach for police, customs officials, and prosecutors.

This 2010 position paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the legal and political tensions between the African Union (AU), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and the International Criminal Court (ICC), specifically regarding the use of Article 16 of the Rome Statute to defer prosecutions of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

This research paper, written by Philip M. Gwage of the Government of Uganda, examines the role of development partners (DPs) in supporting climate change adaptation in vulnerable countries, using Uganda as a primary case study. The author argues that while DPs are consulted on national planning, their most effective influence often occurs through collaboration with civil society organizations at the community level to promote indigenous technologies and reduce bureaucratic overhead. The paper emphasizes the need for DPs to shift from viewing climate change as a purely environmental issue to integrating it into broader development portfolios, with a specific focus on institutional strengthening, early warning systems, and the promotion of organic agriculture to build resilience in the rainfed agricultural sector.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute explores the role of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in helping countries, particularly developing nations, adapt to climate change. It details how ICTs enhance weather forecasting, risk assessment, and the dissemination of critical alerts to vulnerable populations via mobile networks, while highlighting the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) efforts to integrate these technologies into national adaptation plans.

This research paper by Sives Govender examines the information requirements for climate change adaptation in Africa, categorizing needs into responsive, proactive, and robust policy frameworks. It highlights the critical role of early warning systems, satellite-based monitoring, and the integration of socio-economic data to mitigate vulnerabilities in water, food security, and coastal infrastructure.

This summary report details a seminar held on November 4, 2009, organized by the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The event focused on the challenges facing criminal justice systems in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East Africa, including issues of police militarization, judicial inefficiency, and the lack of political will for systemic reform.

This research paper examines the role of human rights in African international relations, arguing that while there is a robust framework of regional and international treaties, human rights often remain a "variable concern" subordinated to national interests and geopolitical strategies. The author analyzes the tension between international monitoring mechanisms and the pursuit of "African solutions to African problems," specifically highlighting the controversy surrounding the ICC arrest warrant for Omar Al-Bashir and the influence of China's non-interference policy on the continent.

This research paper by Mireille Affa’a Mindzie, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2009, examines the role of human rights in African international relations. It analyzes the tension between the formal commitment to international human rights standards and the practical application of these standards in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, where national interests and the pursuit of 'African solutions to African problems' often take precedence.

A statement by African civil society organizations urging African States Parties to the Rome Statute to maintain their commitment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and reject an African Union (AU) decision to withhold cooperation in the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

This report summarizes a public seminar held on July 14, 2009, in Addis Ababa, which examined the security and political situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically North and South Kivu. The discussion focused on the role of armed groups, the effectiveness of military operations, the normalization of relations between the DRC and Rwanda, and the challenges facing the Congolese army and MONUC.

This report summarizes an ISS public seminar analyzing the 13th Ordinary AU Summit. The primary focus was the AU's decision to non-cooperate with the ICC regarding President Al-Bashir, the AU's frustration with the UN Security Council's referral powers, and the potential limitations of the proposed AU Authority.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical development and current challenges of establishing democratic accountability and oversight for intelligence services in Africa. It argues that intelligence agencies have traditionally served regime security rather than public security, often facilitating human rights abuses, and outlines the necessary mechanisms and political shifts required to transition toward transparent, democratically governed services.