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This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the agenda for the 29th African Union (AU) Summit, the operational challenges of the African Standby Force (ASF), and the Peace and Security Council's (PSC) decision-making trends. It specifically examines the political crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, as well as counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel and Somalia.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the diverse and often indirect roles women play in violent extremist organisations in Kenya, specifically al-Shabaab. Based on 108 interviews, it argues that women provide an 'invisible infrastructure' of support, acting as recruiters, spies, and facilitators, while direct perpetration of violence remains limited. The document identifies a complex interplay of drivers for women's involvement, including personal relationships, economic hardship, government neglect, and the influence of radical religious teachings.

This report examines the specific impacts of violent extremism on women in Kenya and evaluates the gender sensitivity of national and local responses. Based on 108 interviews, it argues that current counter-terrorism and prevention efforts are largely gender-neutral, failing to address the unique psychological, physical, and economic vulnerabilities of women.

This report analyzes the political and economic instability facing Angola during the transition from President José Eduardo dos Santos to his chosen successor, Joao Lourenco, ahead of the August 2017 elections. It identifies critical fault lines, including a severe liquidity crisis, systemic corruption, and a securitized state apparatus, arguing that genuine reform is necessary to prevent the country from unraveling.

The April 2017 PSC Report examines the AU's struggle to manage the Western Sahara crisis amid Morocco's readmission, the systemic failures of the Continental Early Warning System due to member state denialism, and the precarious security environments in Darfur, Mali, and Somalia. It also highlights a trend of democratic backsliding in Africa, characterized by the removal of presidential term limits and the shrinking of political space.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the stalled implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) and evaluates how the African Union (AU) and other African actors can support sustainable peace. It analyzes the dynamics of the conflict, the role of regional mediation, and the potential of a proposed national dialogue to broaden political participation.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines Liberia's transition to a peaceful democracy ahead of the October 2017 elections and the final drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) in March 2018. It argues that while Liberia has made progress, it requires a more coordinated approach to peacebuilding that leverages the comparative advantages of African regional and subregional organisations—such as the AU, ECOWAS, and the MRU—alongside traditional donors and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the African Union (AU) is failing to implement its maritime strategies, specifically the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIMS), due to a lack of resources, expertise, and a clear definition of the 'blue economy'. It recommends the establishment of a dedicated maritime office within the AU Commission and the revitalization of the 2050 AIMS Strategic Task Force to move beyond current institutional inertia.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) efforts to engage youth in democratic governance. It argues that while normative frameworks like the African Youth Charter and the African Governance Architecture–Youth Engagement Strategy (AGA–YES) exist, there is a significant gap between these theoretical rights and the practical reality for young Africans, who often face unemployment and political marginalisation.

This guide describes ENACT (Enhancing Africa’s capacity to respond more effectively to transnational organised crime), a three-year European Union-funded programme implemented by the Institute for Security Studies, INTERPOL, and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime. The project aims to mitigate the impact of transnational organised crime (TOC) on Africa's governance, security, and development through evidence-based analysis, capacity building for policymakers and law enforcement, and the creation of regional monitoring hubs.

This policy brief evaluates the state of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Western Indian Ocean, arguing that the region remains overly dependent on international naval forces. It suggests a strategic shift toward low-tech solutions, human intelligence, and better integration between maritime security and the blue economy to build sustainable, regionally-owned capabilities.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the challenges and opportunities for funding primary violence prevention programmes in South Africa. It details the government's budgeting and costing processes, highlighting the difficulties of securing funds in a constrained economic climate where resources are often reprioritised from non-core areas.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the gap between Africa's formal legal frameworks for freedom of movement and their actual implementation. While the African Union and various Regional Economic Communities have established treaties to leverage migration for development, national interests and securitized approaches often hinder progress, with West Africa currently serving as the continent's best practice model.

This policy brief, published by the Institute for Security Studies in 2017, analyzes Ethiopia's development trajectory toward 2030. Using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting system, the document evaluates the impact of various sectoral interventions—specifically in agriculture, education, health, and governance—on poverty, GDP per capita, and the Human Development Index (HDI). It argues that while Ethiopia has seen rapid growth and improvements in basic services since 1991, it still faces significant challenges in agricultural productivity, primary school completion, and domestic revenue mobilization. The brief recommends an 'Integrated Development Push' to accelerate the country's transition to lower-middle-income status.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the African Union's (AU) role in conflict prevention, distinguishing between operational and structural approaches. It argues that while the AU has established various frameworks and roadmaps, it remains overly reactive and lacks the practical steps, coordination, and predictable funding necessary to effectively implement long-term structural prevention.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that South Africa's reliance on reactive criminal justice spending is ineffective at reducing violent crime and advocates for a radical shift toward investment in preventive social programmes.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the increasing trend of Boko Haram targeting displaced persons, including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as part of a strategic shift toward 'soft' targets.

The document summarizes the conclusions of a seminar held on 9 December 2016 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focused on assistance and capacity-building for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540, disarmament, and non-proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons in Africa.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the global framework for preventing violent extremism (PVE) and evaluates South Africa's position within this context. It argues that while the current threat of violent extremism in South Africa is relatively low, the country should proactively implement evidence-based prevention measures, update its legislation, and leverage its civil society to address emerging risks such as foreign terrorist fighters.

The December 2016 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the African Union's (AU) role in managing continental crises. It finds that the Peace and Security Council (PSC) often relied on regional bodies rather than leading interventions. Key issues discussed include the impact of land privatisation and climate change in Kenya's Kajiado County, the contested nature of several 2016 national elections, and the AU's efforts to promote women's rights despite a perceived failure to challenge dictatorial regimes. The report also details the funding struggles of AMISOM in Somalia and the diplomatic complexities surrounding Morocco's request to rejoin the AU.