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This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the economic impact of Chinese trade, investment, and construction firms in Kenya. It highlights a significant trade imbalance, the proliferation of counterfeit Chinese goods, and the competitive pressures faced by local construction firms, while evaluating the effectiveness of Kenyan legislative responses such as the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008 and the National Construction Authority Act of 2010.

This report documents the 5th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC), held from 28–30 November 2011 in Gaborone, Botswana. The conference brought together commandants from African Staff Colleges to discuss the impact of globalisation on human rights, the proliferation of small arms, gender equality in the military, and the standardisation of military education to support the African Standby Force (ASF) and peace support operations (PSOs).

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the potential socio-economic impacts of increasing investment in basic education across Africa. Using the International Futures (IFs) modelling system, the authors simulate a scenario where African nations adopt the enrolment and completion growth rates of the continent's best-performing countries. The analysis suggests that a modest increase in GDP allocation to education could lead to significant long-term gains in GDP, poverty reduction, and public health, although these benefits would be realized over several decades.

This report documents the proceedings of the fourth African Commandants' Conference (ACoC), held from November 1-3, 2010, in Jinja, Uganda. The conference focused on developing a joint continental force to improve effectiveness in multinational environments by enhancing military education, training, and coordination among African staff colleges to support the African Standby Force (ASF) and Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 50 years after independence, focusing on the challenges of territorial consolidation, resource governance, and the transition of UN peacekeeping operations.

This August 2010 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis on several African security issues. It focuses on Kenya's constitutional referendum, the potential for water-related conflict in the Nile Basin, the transition to democracy in Guinea, and the results of the presidential election in Somaliland. Additionally, it reviews the annual consultative meeting between the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC), the operationalisation of civil society engagement via the Livingstone Formula, and the outcomes of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference in Kampala.

This research paper argues that South Africa's foreign policy under the Zuma administration has become rudderless, characterized by a lack of strategic clarity and a managerial vacuum that risks eroding international goodwill and the country's status as a reliable developmental partner.

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 seminar report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, documents a two-day event held in September 2010 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The seminar brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to critically examine the nature of post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, specifically questioning the 'liberal peace' model and its practical implementation in Africa.

This policy briefing evaluates the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum six years after its 2003 launch. It argues that while the forum has a mixed record regarding commercial outcomes and market integration, it has successfully fostered political coordination and development cooperation. The author recommends that IBSA prioritize development efforts and the expansion of its development fund to distinguish itself from economic-centric groupings like BRIC.

This research paper argues that current international and regional approaches to humanitarian military interventions in Africa are ineffective because they prioritize humanitarian aid over the restoration of security. The author proposes a new 'humanitarian security intervention' doctrine that emphasizes the coercive use of force to establish security as a prerequisite for humanitarian assistance and long-term peacebuilding.

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 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.

The document outlines the conclusions and recommendations from a regional workshop held in Libreville, Gabon, from 21-23 May 2009. The workshop, jointly organized by the African Union (AU) Commission and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), focused on implementing the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) and the ECCAS Border Programme (ECCAS-BP) within Central Africa.

This trainer's guide, published by the Institute for Security Studies in April 2009, provides a comprehensive training framework for the SARPCCO Generic United Nations Police Officers Course (UNPOC). Based on the UN's Standardised Generic Training Modules (SGTM) Level I, the document is designed to prepare police officers for deployment in peace support operations under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU). It covers a wide array of topics including the history and functions of INTERPOL and SARPCCO, the legal frameworks of the UN and AU, conduct and discipline, human rights, safety awareness, and operational techniques such as radio communication and report writing. The guide includes pedagogical tools for trainers, such as lesson plans, case studies, and a detailed field exercise called 'Furugo Kali' to simulate real-world peacekeeping scenarios.

This research paper by Steven Gruzd evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), analyzing its origins within the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), its institutional challenges, and its impact on governance across the African continent as of April 2009.

This research paper examines the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and human well-being, using China as a primary case study. It analyzes how income per capita, energy production mixes, and geography correlate with CO2 emissions across 174 countries and 30 Chinese provinces, arguing that current high-consumption lifestyles in rich countries are incompatible with low-emission stabilization targets.

This research paper examines the adoption and implementation of the Nairobi Protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa. It analyzes the role of the Regional Centre for Small Arms (RECSA) in coordinating efforts across 12 signatory states and identifies significant gaps between regional political commitment and national-level execution.