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This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the intersection of climate change and poverty reduction. It argues that climate variability hinders the ability of poor populations to escape poverty and threatens the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in Africa. The document advocates for the integration of climate adaptation into national development strategies, the collection of more conclusive data on climate-poverty links, and a cautious approach to mitigation projects to ensure they provide tangible co-benefits for the poor.

This research paper examines the challenges South Africa faces in diversifying its energy sources away from coal to ensure energy security and meet climate change mitigation goals, emphasizing the need for institutional reform and a coordinated government vision.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the tensions between South Africa's reliance on coal for energy security and its commitments to climate change mitigation. It analyzes the dominance of the state utility Eskom, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the potential for regional energy cooperation within Southern Africa to diversify the electricity supply mix.

This research paper by Molly Hellmuth explores the specific information requirements for climate risk management, categorizing decision-making into responsive, proactive, and robust frameworks. It argues that while these approaches have different horizons, they all rely on identifying vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks to improve development outcomes and resilience.

This summary report details a seminar held on November 4, 2009, organized by the African Human Security Initiative (AHSI) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The event focused on the challenges facing criminal justice systems in Africa, with a particular emphasis on East Africa, including issues of police militarization, judicial inefficiency, and the lack of political will for systemic reform.

A speech delivered by Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Minister of Internal Affairs, at the launch of the EAPCCO-ISS Environmental Crime Project in Entebbe on July 30-31, 2008. The address outlines the scale of environmental crime in East Africa and the objectives of a new regional partnership to strengthen law enforcement capacity.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political crisis in Zimbabwe surrounding the June 27, 2008, presidential run-off election, following the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. It details the widespread political violence and evaluates four potential scenarios for the country's future, concluding that a Mugabe victory is the most likely short-term outcome despite international condemnation.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political crisis in Zimbabwe surrounding the June 27, 2008, presidential run-off election, following the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines recommendations to improve the use of climate science for 'anticipatory adaptation' in Africa. It emphasizes the need to bridge the gap between climate scientists and decision-makers, enhance local technical capacity for downscaling climate models, and leverage existing regional networks and platforms to manage climate change risks.

The report outlines a pro-growth agenda for Africa, emphasizing the need to prioritize infrastructure maintenance and growth-spurring programs over current consumption. It proposes specific reforms across legal systems, the business environment, and infrastructure to reverse economic marginalization.

This report documents a scoping workshop held in April 2008 by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS). The workshop aimed to develop a framework for civil society organizations (CSOs) to monitor the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and its National Programmes of Action (NPoA), specifically focusing on the creation of the APRM Monitoring and Advocacy Template (AMAT).

This policy brief, based on a 2008 study commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, examines the integration of climate change model information into agricultural decision-making in Africa. It identifies a significant gap between climate science producers and agricultural users, noting that vulnerability is driven by poverty, lack of infrastructure, and natural resource dependence. The document advocates for 'anticipatory adaptation' and the creation of multi-disciplinary platforms to bridge the communication gap between scientists and practitioners.

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 research paper provides an overview of the progress made toward establishing the African Standby Force (ASF) as of May 2005. It details the continental policy framework adopted by the African Union (AU) and examines the specific implementation efforts, capabilities, and challenges within three regional bodies: the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The document highlights significant gaps between policy aspirations and operational capacity, primarily driven by funding shortages and limited national military capabilities.

This research paper examines the development and operationalization of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) within the African Union (AU). It distinguishes early warning from traditional state intelligence, emphasizing a focus on human security and open-source data. The document reviews the transition from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the AU, the legal framework of the Peace and Security Council (PSC), and the varying stages of early warning system implementation across regional economic communities in West, Central, Southern, and East Africa.

Published in 2004, this strategy outlines South Africa's approach to climate change, prioritizing sustainable development and poverty alleviation. It identifies critical vulnerabilities in agriculture, water, and biodiversity, and proposes a coordinated government response involving mitigation in the energy and industrial sectors and adaptation in rural and health sectors.

This document introduces 'Society Under Siege, Volume Three: Managing Arms in South Africa', a report by the Institute for Security Studies. It examines the transition of firearms from legal to illegal status, the failures of the Central Firearm Registry (where only 30% of records were accurate), and the social drivers of firearm demand. The report advocates for a combination of stricter government legislation and community-based initiatives to combat the culture of violence in South Africa.

This 1999 research paper examines the 'peace pyramid' model of conflict management in Africa, which positions the UN at the top, subregional organisations at the base, and the OAU as the intermediary. The author argues that while subregional bodies like ECOWAS and SADC are often more motivated to intervene in local conflicts, they lack institutionalised mechanisms and are built upon weak states. The paper concludes that sustainable security requires a focus on state-building, good governance, and the creation of permanent, impartial bureaucratic structures within subregional organisations rather than relying on ad hoc military responses.

This report, based on a 1998 conference, examines the transformation of the South African Army as it transitions from the apartheid-era South African Defence Force (SADF) to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It details the challenges of integrating seven former adversarial forces, achieving racial representivity across all ranks, and shifting toward a 'jointness' operational model. The document outlines strategic shifts in logistics—moving from 'just-in-case' to 'just-in-time' systems—and the implementation of civic education and competency-based training to professionalize the force under civilian control.

This report, introduced by Jakkie Cilliers, provides a snapshot of the South African Army's transition following the end of apartheid. It details the shift from a secretive, racialized force to a democratically overseen institution, while highlighting significant operational and human resource challenges, including 'transformation fatigue', integration delays, and a funding crisis that threatens operational capability.