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This research paper examines the perceptions, support, and reservations of African countries regarding the proposed Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a global initiative to establish universal standards for the legal trade of conventional weapons. It specifically analyzes the viewpoints of five African nations that participated in a United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of implementing such a treaty across the continent.

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 advocates for the renewal of the Internet Governance Forum's (IGF) mandate, highlighting its success as a multi-stakeholder, bottom-up model for global technology governance. It argues that the IGF has effectively defused tensions over U.S. oversight of ICANN and provided a space for developing countries to address issues like universal access and open standards. The authors suggest that the 'Internet model' of shared ownership and collaborative engagement could be applied to other critical global challenges, including climate change and sustainable development.

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.

This research paper evaluates the quality of recommendations provided in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) reports for six pioneer countries, arguing that while the reports identify governance problems effectively, they often fail to provide actionable, concrete policy guidance.

This foreword introduces a country review of crime and criminal justice in Sierra Leone, produced as part of the second phase of the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI). The initiative aims to complement the NEPAD/APRM process by providing empirical evidence on criminal justice systems to encourage reforms that enhance human security and democracy.

This chapter of a 2009 report examines Zambia's engagement with regional and international treaties, protocols, and organizations focused on crime, security, and law enforcement. It highlights a gap between the signing and ratification of these instruments and emphasizes the need for better domestic implementation to ensure legal enforceability.

This research paper by Steven Gruzd of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), examining its institutional origins, its relationship with the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), and its achievements in promoting good governance across Africa.

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 by Paul Hoffman examines the role of accountability in making constitutionalism a reality, specifically within the context of post-liberation African societies. Using South Africa as a primary case study, the author evaluates the effectiveness of constitutional frameworks in limiting government power, maintaining domestic legitimacy, and protecting human rights.

This research paper by Paul Hoffman, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in March 2009, examines the role of accountability in making constitutionalism a reality in Africa. Using South Africa as a primary case study, the author argues that while constitutional structures may exist on paper, the actual practice of democracy is often undermined by power struggles among elites, corruption, and the erosion of independent oversight institutions.

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.

This seminar report, based on a session held in Addis Ababa on January 20, 2009, uses the Ghanaian experience to examine whether elections can resolve political contests in the absence of political compromise. The seminar concludes that elections are not isolated events but are embedded within a broader political culture and body polity, meaning their effectiveness in conflict prevention depends on the surrounding political context.

The Conflict-Sensitive Conservation Practitioners’ Manual, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2009, provides a framework for conservation NGOs and protected area authorities to integrate conflict sensitivity into their operations. The guide aims to help practitioners minimize the risk of inadvertently exacerbating conflicts and maximize opportunities for peacebuilding, particularly in conflict zones where natural resources can be both a source of tension and a foundation for stability.

This practitioner's guide, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), provides a framework for integrating conflict sensitivity into conservation activities. It aims to help NGOs and protected area managers minimize the risk of inadvertently exacerbating conflicts and maximize opportunities for peacebuilding, particularly in volatile regions where natural resource management often intersects with social and political tensions.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ASB-ICRAF) outlines key messages for the Copenhagen climate talks based on workshops held in Vietnam and Kenya. It advocates for the inclusion of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and agriculture in international climate agreements, while emphasizing the need for balanced measurement requirements, regional cooperation to prevent leakage, and a phased implementation approach to support varying levels of national capacity.

This concept note outlines a proposed workshop organized by the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to develop a regional response strategy for law enforcement agents to combat piracy in Eastern Africa.

This report details the proceedings of the Africa Trade and Climate Change Dialogue held in Johannesburg on May 7-8, 2009. The event, organized by ICTSD, IISD, and SAIIA, brought together African trade officials, policy-makers, and experts to examine the intersection of trade policy, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. The dialogue focused on identifying policy priorities and research gaps to prepare African countries for the UNFCCC Copenhagen summit, specifically addressing vulnerabilities in agriculture, the need for predictable financing, and the diffusion of low-carbon technologies.