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This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the progress of Zimbabwe's Inclusive Government (IG) following the September 2008 Global Political Agreement (GPA). It examines the political violence and economic collapse that led to the power-sharing deal, the structural weaknesses of the GPA, and the ongoing tensions between ZANU-PF and the MDC factions.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the integration of governance education within African universities. Based on a 2008 scoping study and a 2009 workshop, the paper argues that while higher education is critical for national development, governance education has been historically neglected. It identifies systemic challenges—including resource scarcity, 'brain drain', and political interference—and proposes regional cooperation and ICT integration as pathways to improve the quality and relevance of governance training to support initiatives like the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

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 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 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 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 briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of France's relations with Africa, analyzing the transition from the traditional 'Françafrique' system of personalized power and influence toward a more multilateral, transparent partnership. It evaluates the tensions between official rhetoric of rupture—such as the 'doctrine de la Baule' and President Nicolas Sarkozy's promises—and the persistence of old habits, including the support of authoritarian regimes and the reduction of development aid.

This research paper examines the implementation and challenges of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) across the African continent. It argues that international control mechanisms fail to prioritize specific African concerns, such as the prevention of disease outbreaks, and that African states often lack the resources and political priority to implement necessary national legislation.

This background paper, prepared by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) for a 2008 seminar in Copenhagen, examines the complex relationship between intellectual property (IP) rights and the transfer of climate-related technologies. It analyzes how IP can act as both an incentive for innovation and a barrier to the diffusion of technology, specifically exploring the role of the WTO TRIPS Agreement and the UNFCCC framework in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

This research paper by Robert Mattes, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues that representative public opinion surveys are essential for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to achieve a comprehensive national self-assessment. The author contrasts the limitations of 'participatory' public consultations with the precision of random probability sampling and provides a technical framework for conducting credible surveys in Africa, including sampling stages, cost estimates, and the necessity of avoiding 'head of household' bias.

This research paper by Professor Awadi Sadiki Mawenya, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), examines the systemic nature of corruption in African public procurement. It argues that corruption in this sector is a primary driver of poverty on the continent and proposes a holistic strategy for mitigation involving legal reform, political commitment, and international cooperation.

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 research paper argues that South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have failed to hold Robert Mugabe's regime accountable for electoral fraud and violence in Zimbabwe. The author contends that South Africa has underplayed its influence and calls for a decisive regional response, including sanctions and the recognition of the March 29, 2008, election results, to protect democratic institutions in Africa.

This seminar report from the Institute for Security Studies examines the tension between the International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutorial approach and the pursuit of a negotiated peace settlement in the Northern Uganda conflict involving the Lord Resistance Army (LRA). The document discusses the historical context of the conflict, the limitations of international legal arguments regarding deterrence and justice, and the role of traditional justice mechanisms in transitional societies.

This guide, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in June 2008, provides practical instructions for Technical Research Institutions (TRIs) conducting research for the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It details the planning, methodology, and political navigation required to produce National Self-Assessment Reports (NSARs) and Action Plans (APs), drawing on experiences from pioneer countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa.

This research paper examines the viability of a regional peacekeeping force in Somalia following a UN Security Council vote in December 2007. It analyzes the instability caused by the conflict between the Transitional Federal Government and the Union of Islamic Courts, the role of Ethiopian military intervention, and the challenges of assembling an African Union-led force. The author specifically evaluates South Africa's capacity and willingness to contribute troops, concluding that South Africa has opted out due to existing commitments and the high risk of failure in a country without a formal ceasefire.

This research paper argues that Africa is vulnerable to global Islamist terrorism and that the African Union (AU) has failed to implement its counter-terrorism frameworks. The author highlights the underfunding and understaffing of the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism in Algiers and proposes a practical, incremental strategy for building capacity based on the specific strengths of key states and regional organisations.