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This briefing examines the state of regional integration in Central Africa, focusing on the roles and interactions of the Central Africa Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). It analyzes the institutional frameworks, the impact of colonial legacies, the influence of external actors like France and the EU, and the challenges posed by overlapping memberships and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations.

This report documents a regional workshop held in Maputo, Mozambique, on April 24-25, 2007, focused on sharing early lessons from the implementation of climate change adaptation projects in south-eastern Africa. The event brought together practitioners, government officials, and researchers to discuss coping strategies for extreme events, health impacts, and energy and natural resource vulnerabilities, while exploring tools for project design and financing mechanisms.

This briefing by Dr M Masiiwa of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the strategic options for Zimbabwe as it faces a choice between joining the proposed Customs Unions of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). While Zimbabwe has stronger existing trade links and political ties with SADC, the document suggests a preference for COMESA due to its larger market, more balanced economic competition, and faster pace of integration.

This research paper examines the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a core component of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), analyzing the structural, financial, and political challenges that hinder its ability to hold African governments accountable for governance and socio-economic development.

This research paper examines the challenges of implementing a transitional justice framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following a war that caused over three million deaths. The author analyzes the limitations of domestic prosecutions, the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the failures of the national Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) in the context of a fragile democratic transition.

This strategy report, prepared by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) following a 2006 project inception meeting, outlines a framework for integrating conflict-sensitivity into conservation interventions in the Albertine Rift. Funded by a US$325,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation, the project aims to prevent conservation NGOs from inadvertently exacerbating conflict and to maximize their potential for peacebuilding. The document analyzes the dual nature of conflict in the region—local disputes arising from resource restrictions and regional armed conflicts—and reviews various analytical tools (such as 'Do No Harm' and 'Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment') to develop a tailored methodology for conservationists.

This research paper by Prince Mashele of the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), contrasting it with previous African socio-economic initiatives. The author argues that NEPAD differs from its predecessors through its acceptance of globalisation, its defined administrative structures, and the introduction of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to address domestic governance. While the paper notes progress in policy development and specific infrastructure and agricultural projects, it highlights significant challenges regarding implementation capacity, funding gaps, and a lack of continent-wide political ownership.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies argues for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, peace-building, and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa. It examines the gender-based violence women face during conflict, the historical exclusion of women from political processes, and the potential of international and regional rights-based frameworks—such as those from the UN and AU—to secure gender equality and political representation.

This policy brief series by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and IUCN examines the intersection of international trade, foreign aid, and security. It argues that current global trade rules and aid practices often exacerbate instability and conflict in developing countries by promoting economic dependence on volatile primary commodities, maintaining inequitable market access, and supporting unaccountable regimes. The document proposes a shift toward 'conflict-sensitive' policies, including the restriction of 'conflict resources,' the promotion of transparent natural resource revenue management, and the implementation of responsible business conduct to prevent the funding of violent conflicts.

This briefing by Hubert Kabungulu Ngoy-K. analyzes the evolution of political trends and power dynamics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1990 to 2005. The author argues that Congolese political parties generally lack genuine ideology or social projects, instead operating through ephemeral alliances, 'cartellization,' and interests based on ethnicity, region, or personal gain.

This inaugural address by the National Director of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) argues that Africa's development depends on internal accountability, leadership, and a shift away from aid-dependency. The author highlights the rise of China and India as shifting global power dynamics and urges African states to implement industrial strategies to avoid a new 'scramble' for raw materials. The speech emphasizes the role of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the need for a vibrant civil society to hold governments accountable.

This research paper analyzes the impact of United Nations (UN) Panel of Experts missions in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1999 and 2002. The author argues that these panels serve as critical peace-building tools by providing credible, independent investigations into sanctions violations and the illegal exploitation of natural resources, which in turn reduces the military capacity of spoilers and criminalizes the activities of those fueling conflict.

This conference report, prepared by Masiiwa Rusare of the Trade & Development Studies Centre (TRADES Centre), documents a regional meeting held in September 2005 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The event focused on the experiences of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU). The report details the institutional structures of the negotiations, areas of convergence and divergence between the two regional blocs and the EU, the specific interests of South Africa, and the challenges of integrating non-state actors and the poor into the trade process.

This situation report analyzes the security dynamics in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of Congo as of May 2005. It details the transition from a violent inter-ethnic conflict between Hema and Lendu groups to a period of forced disarmament driven by a UN ultimatum. While significant numbers of combatants have disarmed, the report highlights critical risks including the lack of timely reinsertion support from the UNDP, the predatory behavior of underpaid FARDC troops, and the continued influence of regional actors like Uganda and Rwanda.

This research paper by Oli Brown for the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the evolving relationship between environmental degradation, natural resource management, and global security. It traces the discourse from the Cold War era to the post-Cold War rise in intra-state conflicts, outlining four primary theoretical approaches to environmental security and proposing practical policy interventions to mitigate conflict driven by both resource scarcity and abundance.

This research paper argues that Burundi's transition to peace is precarious because the focus has remained on political power-sharing and elections while neglecting the socio-economic reconstruction outlined in Protocol IV of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Accords. The author asserts that failure to address structural causes of conflict—specifically extreme poverty, land scarcity, and unequal resource distribution—could lead the country back into a 'conflict trap'.

This 2005 IISD report analyzes the impact of EU trade policy on conflict in the developing world. It highlights a contradiction: while the EU uses 'soft power' initiatives (like FLEGT and the Kimberley Process) to curb conflict resources and 'carrots' (preferential access) to encourage good governance, its structural policies—such as massive agricultural subsidies and the push for reciprocal Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)—can undermine economic stability and fuel conflict. The report warns that commodity price volatility and the 'resource curse' further destabilize low-income countries, and recommends that the EU conduct conflict assessments of trade agreements and reduce agricultural subsidies to promote global peace and sustainable development.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the progress and obstacles of security sector reform (SSR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during its transitional government period (2003-2005). It focuses on the integration of the national army (FARDC), the restructuring of the national police (PNC), and the implementation of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs.

This research paper examines the political and military instability in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the May and June 2004 unrest in Bukavu. It analyzes the military campaign led by General Laurent Nkunda, the role of the Transition Government (TG), the influence of Rwanda, and the manipulation of ethnic tensions involving the Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities.

This situation report analyzes the stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's transition government one year after its inauguration. It details a deepening crisis characterized by military rebellion in the east led by General Laurent Nkunda, internal political infighting among the three main belligerent components (PPRD, RCD-G, and MLC), and significant delays in critical reforms such as the reintegration of the national army.