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This report examines Botswana's foreign policy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), analyzing the transition from the consultative 'quiet diplomacy' of past administrations to the more outspoken and pragmatic approach of President Ian Khama. It details the institutional frameworks governing Botswana's external engagements and the historical influences of the Front Line States and the country's landlocked geography.

This technical annex evaluates progress toward Goal 3 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which targets the reduction of deforestation from non-agricultural sectors. It identifies infrastructure, human settlements, and mining as the primary non-agricultural drivers, with logging as the main cause of forest degradation. The report highlights a significant lack of disaggregated data, making it impossible to establish quantitative indicators for progress. It reviews public policy tools such as import bans on illegal timber in the US, EU, and Australia, and the use of Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEA) by the World Bank. Private sector efforts include FSC and PEFC certifications, though certified forest land has plateaued at 10% since 2008, and emerging responsible mining initiatives like the Oro Verde program in Colombia.

The communiqué from the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), held in October 2015 in Geneva, focuses on aligning mining practices with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the critical importance of integrated mine closure planning.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) discusses the October 2015 IMF Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the region's economic challenges and South Africa's specific vulnerabilities in growth, energy, and exports.

This policy brief from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the evolving security relationship between China and Africa. It analyzes how China is shifting from a strict policy of non-interference toward deeper engagement in both traditional military security and non-traditional threats, including the protection of its citizens, pandemic response, and environmental conservation, increasingly through multilateral frameworks.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the tension between South Africa's regional dominance and its aspirations for integration in Southern Africa. Drawing on a 2013 perceptions survey of foreign policy practitioners, the author analyzes how South Africa's economic, political, and security influence is perceived by its neighbors and suggests ways to improve regional legitimacy through increased consultation and multilateralism.

This research paper examines the capacity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to implement post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) and explores how South Africa can leverage its membership to strengthen these activities. The author argues that SADC is currently constrained by a state-centric approach to security, structural silos, and a lack of institutional capacity, leaving PCRD responsibilities to individual member states. By comparing SADC with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the paper suggests that SADC needs to adopt a more holistic, human-security-based approach and improve its coordination with the African Union (AU) and international donors.

This report details the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 27–29, 2015. The meeting focused on 'The Post-Mining Transition and Environmental Management,' exploring how to integrate environmental, economic, and social planning into the mine life cycle to ensure sustainable transitions and community resilience after closure.

This policy brief examines the leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from 2014 to 2015, specifically the roles of Zimbabwe as the overall chair and South Africa as the chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC). It analyzes how domestic political dynamics, foreign policy, and institutional constraints influence their ability to shape the regional organization's agenda.

The July 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) handling of unconstitutional changes of government in Egypt, the deteriorating security situation in Libya, the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in Africa, and the strategic partnership between the AU PSC and the UN Security Council.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the 2013 elections in Kenya and Zimbabwe, which followed periods of severe electoral violence in 2007 and 2008. The author examines how different levels of constitutional reform, the available lead-time before polling, and the influence of transitional justice and Western diplomatic pressure shaped the outcomes of these 'first-generation' elections.

This guide details the methodology used by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to assess how member states of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) implement the IGF Mining Policy Framework (MPF). The process identifies strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in national mining policies to inform capacity-building and monitor progress.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs provides three primary recommendations for Dr Tax, the new Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), focusing on the implementation of existing commitments, improved private sector engagement, and increased transparency of regional processes.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes Mozambique's foreign policy from independence in 1975 through 2013. It argues that Mozambique has employed a strategy of 'pragmatic non-alignment' to secure external support for national development, evolving through three distinct phases: the liberation and civil war period, a phase of post-conflict consolidation and 'normalisation', and a current era focused on attracting foreign direct investment following the discovery of vast coal and gas reserves.

This case study examines the SADC Payment Integration System, specifically the launch of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Integrated Regional Electronic Settlement System (SIRESS) in July 2013. The system aims to facilitate cross-border payments and financial integration across SADC member states, starting with a pilot in the Common Monetary Area (CMA).

This case study examines the political economy of the sugar sector within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting the role of private-public partnerships, regional trade agreements, and the challenges posed by a distorted global market. It details the production capacities of member states and the mechanisms used to manage regional trade and protect producers from international dumping.

The June 2013 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides detailed analysis of security crises in Somalia and Mali, evaluates the outcomes of the May 2013 AU Summit, and identifies early warning issues across Africa.

The April 2013 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analysis and country-specific assessments for Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, and the Central African Republic (CAR), focusing on political instability, unconstitutional changes of government, and humanitarian crises.

This April 2013 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides early warning analyses for the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC), focusing on political crises and instability in Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, and the Central African Republic.

This research paper by Tony Chafer, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in April 2013, examines the multifaceted relations between France and Senegal from 2000 to 2012. It analyzes the historical context, economic ties, cultural exchanges, military cooperation, and political tensions, particularly during the presidency of Abdoulaye Wade, and looks toward the transition to the presidency of Macky Sall.