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This research paper examines the relationship between remittances and political influence in Cape Verde, the Comores, and Lesotho. It argues that the political weight of a diaspora is not determined by its size or the volume of remittances, but rather by the organization of the recipient state and its capacity to capitalize on diaspora contributions.

This research paper by Naison Ngoma examines the conceptual framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) with a specific focus on the challenges faced by states in sub-Saharan Africa. The author argues that standard Western or European models of DDR are often inapplicable to the African context because many African populations were never fully mobilised for war, creating a unique dynamic of "demobilisation without mobilisation."

This document consists of a series of resolutions and declarations adopted by the Council of Ministers and the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) during its 23rd Ordinary Session held in Mogadishu, Somalia, from June 6 to 15, 1974. The resolutions cover a wide range of geopolitical, economic, and social issues, including the decolonization of Portuguese, Spanish, British, and French territories, the fight against apartheid in South Africa and Namibia, the management of drought in Africa, and the establishment of various pan-African technical and administrative bodies.

This handbook provides a comparative analysis of three key anti-corruption instruments: the SADC Protocol against Corruption (2001), the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003), and the UN Convention against Corruption (2003). It is designed as a tool for lawyers, policy makers, and legal drafters in Southern African countries to help them harmonize domestic legislation with these international standards, focusing on prohibited acts of corruption, preventative measures, jurisdiction, and international cooperation.

This report by Robert Mattes of the University of Cape Town uses Afrobarometer survey data from 18 African countries to compare experiences of crime and policing in South Africa with other nations on the continent. The analysis finds that while South Africa has high levels of insecurity and crime exposure, it is not exceptional in the African context. Furthermore, despite having superior physical and human capital, the South African Police Service (SAPS) often lags behind other African police forces in terms of public trust, legitimacy, and community relations.

This document outlines the recommendations from a conference held in Jinja, Uganda, from 11 to 13 March 2009, focused on developing a Common and Comprehensive African Approach to HIV and AIDS (CCAAHM) within African militaries. The conference, attended by delegates from numerous African nations and NGOs, sought to address policy dilemmas regarding recruitment, combat readiness, and the management of HIV-positive personnel in the context of peacekeeping and national security.

A country fact sheet providing basic demographic, political, and economic data for Zambia, including its legal system, governance structure, and natural resources.

This report, produced by the Institute for Security Studies in collaboration with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), provides a comprehensive review of organised criminal activities in 12 southern African countries. It identifies a strong nexus between organised crime and corruption, noting that the region's porous borders and economic disparities facilitate the transnational movement of drugs, stolen vehicles, counterfeit goods, and endangered species. The report emphasizes that while some crimes are local, the most serious activities are transnational and often underpinned by systemic corruption within law enforcement and government institutions.

This research paper by James Ngculu examines the history of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), and its role in establishing a tradition of democratic civil-military relations in South Africa. The author argues that MK's foundational commitment to political subordination and accountability to civilian leadership provided a blueprint for the integration of forces and the creation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after 1994.

This research paper by Rocky Williams critiques the application of Western civil-military relations theories to the African context, arguing that formal institutional mechanisms are often insufficient for ensuring civil control. The author proposes a more flexible 'collaborative-partnership' model that integrates both objective (formal/legal) and subjective (informal/relational) forms of control, drawing on evidence from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to demonstrate how political partnerships and shared value frameworks maintain stability.

This research paper by Lauren Hutton, published by the Institute for Security Studies in February 2015, interrogates the continued relevance of peacebuilding within external interventions in Africa. The author argues that current peacebuilding efforts are often limited because they fail to address the radical restructuring of political and economic power, instead reinforcing existing inequalities and enabling autocratic governance through the building of state institutions that can be used for predation and control.

This research paper by Mark Malan of the Institute for Security Studies examines the institutional confusion and legal ambiguities surrounding the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as it attempted to transition from an economic coordination body to a regional security arrangement. The author argues that the lack of a formal structure for the proposed SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security has allowed member states to justify unilateral or small-group military interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho under a 'mythical' regional mandate, often bypassing UN Security Council authorization.

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 argues for a shift in how organised crime is perceived and combated in Southern Africa. It advocates for moving away from rigid, narrow definitions toward a business-centric, network-based approach that recognizes the symbiotic relationships between criminal networks, state officials, and legitimate businesses. The author recommends the adoption of a regional protocol to harmonise legal procedures and the use of social network analysis to better disrupt transnational criminal markets.

This policy brief by the Omega Research Foundation, published by the Institute for Security Studies in June 2016, examines the manufacture and trade of electric shock devices in South Africa. It argues that a lack of trade controls on these devices—including stun belts, shields, and batons—facilitates torture and ill-treatment, contradicting South Africa's constitutional and international human rights obligations. The document details the activities of South African companies exporting these devices globally and recommends a comprehensive ban on body-worn and hand-held direct contact electric shock equipment.

This policy brief examines South Africa's evolving role as a 'norm entrepreneur' in Africa, arguing that while the country initially led the continent in promoting democracy and human rights, its recent foreign policy has become more inward-looking and economically pragmatic.

This document is an annex detailing the structural arrangement of the I Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC), outlining a hierarchical system of committees ranging from the Ministerial level down to technical sub-sub-committees.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the challenges and prospects of implementing freedom of movement within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It argues that while regional integration is a stated goal, progress is hindered by a lack of political will, the securitisation of migration, and a critical shortage of reliable data. The authors contend that shifting the perspective of migration from a security threat to a developmental opportunity would benefit the region's economic stability and human rights.

This report examines the relationship between intra-state conflict, political violence, and the proliferation of small arms in Africa, focusing on case studies from South Africa, Angola, and Rwanda. It argues that the demand for light, easily transportable weapons is driven by conflicts over political participation, identity, and post-war reconciliation, often exacerbated by weak state structures and porous borders. The document details how both state and non-state actors acquire arms through official and unofficial channels, including domestic industries, foreign governments, and private dealers, and recommends increased transparency and supplier restraint to mitigate regional instability.

This report by Natural Justice and Kalpavriksh analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks affecting Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ conserved territories and areas (ICCAs). It identifies systemic threats to these areas, including a lack of legal recognition for customary land rights and the imposition of exclusionary conservation models. While noting positive developments in international law and specific national initiatives, the report argues that state institutions often continue to undermine ICCAs through discriminatory legislation and inaccessible judicial systems. It provides comprehensive recommendations for governments and international bodies to recognize the self-determination of Indigenous peoples and support the integrity of ICCAs through both legal reform and non-legal support mechanisms.