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This research paper by Naison Ngoma examines the conceptual framework of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) with a specific focus on the challenges faced by states in sub-Saharan Africa. The author argues that standard Western or European models of DDR are often inapplicable to the African context because many African populations were never fully mobilised for war, creating a unique dynamic of "demobilisation without mobilisation."

This document contains a series of resolutions (CM/Res.149 to CM/Res.174) adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) during its eleventh ordinary session held in Algiers, Algeria, from September 4 to 12, 1968. The resolutions address a wide range of political, humanitarian, and economic issues, including the status of refugees, the liberation of territories under Portuguese and South African domination, the decolonization of the Comoros, and the promotion of intra-African economic integration and cultural cooperation.

This handbook provides a comparative analysis of three key anti-corruption instruments: the SADC Protocol against Corruption (2001), the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (2003), and the UN Convention against Corruption (2003). It is designed as a tool for lawyers, policy makers, and legal drafters in Southern African countries to help them harmonize domestic legislation with these international standards, focusing on prohibited acts of corruption, preventative measures, jurisdiction, and international cooperation.

This report by Robert Mattes of the University of Cape Town uses Afrobarometer survey data from 18 African countries to compare experiences of crime and policing in South Africa with other nations on the continent. The analysis finds that while South Africa has high levels of insecurity and crime exposure, it is not exceptional in the African context. Furthermore, despite having superior physical and human capital, the South African Police Service (SAPS) often lags behind other African police forces in terms of public trust, legitimacy, and community relations.

This report analyzes the historical evolution and governance of the military in Lesotho, tracing its transition from a destabilizing force under authoritarian rule to a professionalized body under civilian control following the 1993 democratic transition. It examines the legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and regional security dynamics that shape the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF).

This document outlines the recommendations from a conference held in Jinja, Uganda, from 11 to 13 March 2009, focused on developing a Common and Comprehensive African Approach to HIV and AIDS (CCAAHM) within African militaries. The conference, attended by delegates from numerous African nations and NGOs, sought to address policy dilemmas regarding recruitment, combat readiness, and the management of HIV-positive personnel in the context of peacekeeping and national security.

A country fact sheet providing basic demographic, political, and economic data for Zambia, including its legal system, governance structure, and natural resources.

This monograph, edited by Hussein Solomon and published by the Institute for Security Studies in May 1997, examines the evolution, principles, and challenges of South African foreign policy following the transition to democracy in 1994. It analyzes the tension between the government's declared commitment to human rights and democracy and its pragmatic bilateral relations with states such as Cuba, Libya, and the People's Republic of China. The text explores South Africa's role as a regional hegemon in Southern Africa, its engagement with the African continent, and the theoretical debate over whether it should pursue 'middle power' or 'co-operative' leadership.

This monograph captures the proceedings of a seminar held in Pretoria on 18-19 April 2000, titled "Security in Africa: French and South African Perspectives." The document explores the intersection of national identity, human security, governance, and economic development, with a specific focus on the evolving roles of France and South Africa in African security. It analyzes various conflict zones, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, and West Africa, while evaluating the effectiveness of regional and international intervention frameworks such as the UN, OAU, SADC, and ECOWAS.

This report, produced by the Institute for Security Studies in collaboration with the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), provides a comprehensive review of organised criminal activities in 12 southern African countries. It identifies a strong nexus between organised crime and corruption, noting that the region's porous borders and economic disparities facilitate the transnational movement of drugs, stolen vehicles, counterfeit goods, and endangered species. The report emphasizes that while some crimes are local, the most serious activities are transnational and often underpinned by systemic corruption within law enforcement and government institutions.

This research paper examines the evolution of civil-military relations in Botswana, focusing on how the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) has navigated the tension between operational secrecy, military spending, and the need for public trust within a democratic framework. It details the BDF's transition from a force struggling with legitimacy during South African cross-border raids to one seeking public acceptance through humanitarian missions and domestic support roles.

This research paper by James Ngculu examines the history of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), and its role in establishing a tradition of democratic civil-military relations in South Africa. The author argues that MK's foundational commitment to political subordination and accountability to civilian leadership provided a blueprint for the integration of forces and the creation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) after 1994.

This research paper analyzes the South African Defence Review process (1996–1998) and the 1995 Defence White Paper, arguing that while the process was historically inclusive and democratic, the resulting force design relied too heavily on traditional Western concepts of 'primary function' (territorial sovereignty) at the expense of more frequent 'secondary functions' (internal stability and regional support).

This research paper by Rocky Williams critiques the application of Western civil-military relations theories to the African context, arguing that formal institutional mechanisms are often insufficient for ensuring civil control. The author proposes a more flexible 'collaborative-partnership' model that integrates both objective (formal/legal) and subjective (informal/relational) forms of control, drawing on evidence from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries to demonstrate how political partnerships and shared value frameworks maintain stability.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the operational challenges facing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ for Politics, Defence and Security (OPDS). It analyzes the Organ's evolution since its 1996 creation, focusing on the tension between state sovereignty and regional collaboration, the impact of socio-economic crises like HIV/AIDS on security forces, and the limited administrative capacity of the SADC Secretariat. The authors argue that while the region possesses strong political solidarity and a comprehensive security architecture, its efficacy is hindered by financial constraints and a precarious international environment.

This research paper by Lauren Hutton, published by the Institute for Security Studies in February 2015, interrogates the continued relevance of peacebuilding within external interventions in Africa. The author argues that current peacebuilding efforts are often limited because they fail to address the radical restructuring of political and economic power, instead reinforcing existing inequalities and enabling autocratic governance through the building of state institutions that can be used for predation and control.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the precarious state of the peace process in Angola as of April 1998. It examines the historical roots of the conflict, the failure of previous peace accords, the clandestine networks supplying weapons to UNITA, and the potential scenarios for the country's future, ranging from renewed military conflict to a fragile political transition.

This research paper by Mark Malan of the Institute for Security Studies examines the institutional confusion and legal ambiguities surrounding the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as it attempted to transition from an economic coordination body to a regional security arrangement. The author argues that the lack of a formal structure for the proposed SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security has allowed member states to justify unilateral or small-group military interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Lesotho under a 'mythical' regional mandate, often bypassing UN Security Council authorization.

This research paper examines the relationship between the extraction of precious stones—specifically diamonds, coltan, and gold—and the perpetuation of armed conflicts in Southern Africa, with a focus on Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It analyzes how these resources fund rebel movements and governments, the challenges law enforcement faces in policing illicit trade, and proposes regulatory reforms to decouple resource wealth from conflict.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the escalating political tensions between the Mozambican government (Frelimo) and the Mozambican National Resistance Movement (Renamo) following the 2013 attacks on Renamo's base. It evaluates Renamo's capacity to return to civil war, the internal divisions within the party, and the geopolitical implications for the SADC region, while offering recommendations for a political resolution ahead of the 2014 general elections.