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This policy brief examines the rise of organized crime in Dakar, Senegal, focusing on drug trafficking, counterfeit pharmaceuticals, and cybercrime. It analyzes how these networks operate through social microcosms and corrupt state actors, the vulnerability of the real estate sector to money laundering, and the resulting threats to urban governance. The authors recommend a comprehensive approach involving legal reform, improved law enforcement capacity, and sub-regional and international cooperation.

This policy brief evaluates the capacity-building efforts of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), specifically regarding the Malian police. Based on field research from May 2014, the authors argue that the mission is struggling due to inadequate deployment in northern Mali, a lack of logistical infrastructure, and a decline in local popularity. The brief recommends a more holistic approach to capacity-building that moves beyond individual training to include institutional support and confidence-building measures to restore trust between the population and state security forces.

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 research paper examines the intersection of the drug trade and 'criminal governance' in Cape Town, South Africa. It analyzes how historical apartheid policies, state institutional failure, and the development of organized crime networks have created parallel sources of authority, particularly in the Cape Flats, where criminal networks provide services and social control in the absence of effective state governance.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the radicalisation and recruitment processes of al-Shabaab in Somalia. Based on interviews with 88 former fighters and seven off-the-record sources, the study identifies a complex interplay of religious identity, socio-economic hardship, and political instability as primary drivers for recruitment, while highlighting the critical role of peer influence and the organisation's sophisticated intelligence capabilities.

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.

This policy brief analyzes the security and political landscape surrounding Mozambique's fifth democratic presidential election scheduled for October 2014. It focuses on the tensions between the ruling Frelimo party and the opposition Renamo, emphasizing the need for a negotiated ceasefire and disarmament to ensure a peaceful transition and long-term stability.

This policy brief analyzes the security and political risks surrounding Mozambique's October 2014 presidential elections. It focuses on the tension between the ruling Frelimo party and the Renamo opposition, emphasizing the need for a sustainable peace agreement and disarmament process to prevent a return to civil war following the vote.

The September 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies details the African Union's (AU) response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the transition of peacekeeping forces in the Central African Republic, the escalating civil conflict in Libya, and the failing peace process and imminent famine in South Sudan.

This research paper presents an interview between Brendan Boyle and attorney Hugh Eiser regarding the Bapo-ba-Mogale community's struggle over platinum royalties and land rights in the North West province of South Africa. The discussion focuses on the alleged misappropriation of community funds by the North West government, the failure of the provincial government to formally recognize the community's Traditional Council, and the exploitative relationship between the community and the mining company Lonmin Plc.

This research paper analyzes a 2013 North West High Court judgement regarding the Royal Bafokeng Nation's (RBN) authority to litigate on behalf of its community. The author argues that the case highlights a tension between the political authority of traditional leaders and the rights of community members to be consulted and to speak for themselves, particularly concerning land and resource ownership.

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 policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the integrity of South Africa's 2014 national and provincial elections. It examines the performance of the Electoral Commission (IEC), instances of political violence and intimidation, the use of state resources for campaigning, and the role of media coverage in informing voters.

The August 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) response to crises in Mali and Nigeria, the operationalization of the PSC's counter-terrorism sub-committee, and ongoing reviews of the Council's internal working methods.

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 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 policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analyzes the 2014 South African Defence Review. It describes the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as being in a state of critical decline and evaluates the financial feasibility of the government's long-term plan to rejuvenate the military by 2034. The author argues that the review's expansive mandate is out of step with the available budget and suggests a more focused approach centered on peacekeeping and a 'growth core' concept.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perceptions of organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions where the state is absent or corrupt, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a sign of social success. The document details a 'vicious cycle' where poverty, crime, and state deprivation reinforce each other, leading to the erosion of traditional social norms and the infiltration of criminal networks into state institutions.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes potential electoral outcomes and political scenarios for South Africa for the period 2014 to 2029. It explores four primary pathways—'Bafana Bafana', 'The Future is ANC', 'The Rise of Multiparty Democracy', and 'A Nation Divided'—evaluating how factors such as ANC leadership, trade union splits (specifically NUMSA and COSATU), and youth voter apathy influence economic growth and poverty levels.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines community perspectives on organized crime and illicit trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel, specifically focusing on Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Niger. It argues that in regions with weak state presence and extreme poverty, trafficking is often viewed not as a crime but as a necessary survival strategy and a legitimate path to social success. The document details how this criminal economy erodes traditional authority, fuels corruption at all levels of government, and creates a cycle of state alienation, while proposing community-led solutions centered on state integrity and sustainable economic alternatives.