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This October 2014 report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes recent activities of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC), focusing on the role of the Panel of the Wise, continental counter-terrorism strategies, and political crises in South Sudan and Lesotho.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the behavior and voting patterns of African states within the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) between July 2010 and July 2014. It highlights a tension between the African Group's organized coordination and its diverse, often inconsistent, responses to human rights violations both within Africa and globally.

This policy briefing analyzes the decline of Nigeria's regional and continental diplomatic influence, arguing that a 'perverse hiatus' between its domestic instability and its foreign policy goals has led the country to punch below its weight despite being Africa's nominally largest economy as of May 2014.

The document analyzes Kenya's regional diplomacy, characterizing it as historically conservative and reluctant to exercise political leadership despite economic strength. It highlights a shift toward 'hard power' via military intervention in Somalia and President Uhuru Kenyatta's pan-African pivot to counter ICC proceedings. It also details the strategic blunders and economic imbalances defining Kenya's relationship with South Africa.

This policy brief examines the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a 'third-generation' approach to mapping organised criminal networks, contrasting it with traditional link analysis. It argues that while SNA provides an empirical, relationship-based understanding of network structures that can move policing from a reactive to a preventative stance, it requires significant technical expertise and fails to account for broader social and temporal contexts. The document uses a case study of the South African arms deal to demonstrate how SNA can reveal institutional corruption and the importance of specific nodes in a network.

A position statement by Dr Allan Heydorn and Prof Michael Orren arguing for a precautionary approach to seabed mining, emphasizing the interdependence of marine ecosystems and the risks to fisheries and global food security.

This case study by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the trajectory of Spain's concentrated solar power (CSP) industry, detailing how initial successful incentives led to rapid deployment and innovation, followed by a collapse in investor confidence due to retroactive policy changes and a lack of cost-control mechanisms.

This research paper examines "criminal governance" in Cape Town, where organised crime networks operate as parallel authorities in areas of weak state capacity. It argues that these networks are not merely parasitic but are embedded in a dysfunctional society shaped by apartheid-era spatial planning, high unemployment, and state inefficiency. The paper highlights the diversification of crime into property and cyber fraud and criticizes state responses for over-relying on repression rather than addressing the socioeconomic root causes.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2014, examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often become critical moments of tension because they are primarily viewed as a means of accessing state resources. The author advocates for a shift from purely technical electoral support to a broader approach based on inclusive political settlements, multi-actor dialogue, and the strengthening of credible electoral management bodies and domestic observation networks to ensure legitimacy and peace.

This policy brief discusses the role of technological innovation and policy in providing modern, clean energy to the 'bottom of the pyramid' population, focusing on household energy and rural electricity to achieve climate-compatible development.

This policy brief examines the role of the extractive industries (EIs) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and argues for a shift from 'trickle-down economics' toward an inclusive green growth strategy to mitigate environmental degradation and social harm.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the proposed New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) being negotiated by the BRICS nations as of July 2014.

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 research paper by Ivan Crouzel for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often crystallise tensions because they are viewed as the primary means of accessing state-owned resources, leading to acute competition in fragile regimes. The author contends that technical electoral support is insufficient and must be replaced by a broader democratic governance approach that prioritises inclusive political agreements, credible election management bodies (EMBs), and multi-stakeholder conflict prevention mechanisms.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the legislative process for reauthorising the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was scheduled to expire on 30 September 2015. The author argues that African stakeholders should focus their advocacy on the US Congress rather than the Executive Branch, as the legislative process is complex and subject to partisan stalemates and lobbying from US interest groups.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies warns that cybercriminals use major events like the 2014 World Cup to deploy phishing scams, malware, and fraudulent apps. It argues that African governments must implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns to protect citizens, citing a lack of cybercrime laws and rapid internet growth as factors making the continent a potential 'safe harbour' for cybercrime.

This briefing paper examines the policy tools available to Eastern African states to foster 'national champions' in the mining sector and maximize sustainable development benefits from foreign direct investment. It analyzes the effectiveness of ownership and performance requirements and evaluates how international investment agreements, specifically Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), may restrict the policy space of host governments.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This research paper by Khabele Matlosa examines the evolution of democratic governance in Africa, focusing on the relationship between the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG). It analyzes the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), the challenges of implementing governance reviews and National Programmes of Action (NPoAs), and proposes strategic imperatives to enhance synergy between the AU's governance and peace architectures.

This research paper examines the transition of Russia toward a 'green economy,' analyzing the gap between official policy documents and practical implementation. It highlights Russia's immense natural capital and the critical need to reduce its economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports and improve energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainable development.