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This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) examines the failures of financial disclosure monitoring and oversight in South African local government. It argues that current systems focus on administrative compliance rather than the active detection of irregularities, leaving municipalities vulnerable to corruption and conflicts of interest, particularly in public procurement.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies analyses the socio-economic and political challenges facing Mozambique in 2012. It examines the dominance of the Frelimo party, the struggles of opposition parties like Renamo and the MDM, the country's heavy reliance on international donor aid, and the prevalence of the informal economic sector.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies uses the International Futures (IFs) forecasting model to analyze the projected rise in road traffic fatalities in Africa through 2050. It argues that road safety is a critical development issue, as rapid motorization often outpaces infrastructure and regulatory improvements. The document compares a 'base case' forecast with an 'improved scenario' where African countries stabilize death rates at current continental averages, demonstrating that aggressive road safety interventions could save millions of lives and provide a significant boost to the continent's GDP.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the compliance of local councillors in South Africa with financial disclosure regulations. It highlights significant variations in compliance rates across municipalities, identifies systemic challenges such as ambiguous legislation and poor data quality, and provides recommendations to strengthen the oversight process to better detect conflicts of interest.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the economic and security impacts of Somali piracy on Kenya and evaluates Kenya's role as a potential partner in international counter-piracy efforts. It argues that while naval deployments have not eliminated the threat, Kenya is strategically positioned to contribute through domestic legal action, regional cooperation, and efforts to stabilize Somalia.

This briefing outlines the key agenda items for the 18th African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa from 23-30 January 2012, including leadership elections, budget approvals, and the inauguration of a new headquarters building.

This January 2012 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides an analysis of the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) activities, focusing on political transitions in Egypt, the security situation in Somalia, and the internal functioning of AU mechanisms for democracy and military coordination.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the military coup in Guinea-Bissau on April 12, 2012, framing it as part of a recurring pattern of political instability and military interference in the state's governance.

This report documents the 5th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC), held from 28–30 November 2011 in Gaborone, Botswana. The conference brought together commandants from African Staff Colleges to discuss the impact of globalisation on human rights, the proliferation of small arms, gender equality in the military, and the standardisation of military education to support the African Standby Force (ASF) and peace support operations (PSOs).

This 2012 guide by the Institute for Security Studies provides a comprehensive reference for African State representatives negotiating the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations. It details the proposed scope of the treaty, including categories of conventional arms and types of international transactions, and outlines the criteria for authorizing arms transfers, such as risks to peace, security, and human rights. The toolkit also examines implementation requirements, including national authority systems, record-keeping, reporting, and the potential role of an Implementation Support Unit, while highlighting existing African regional and subregional obligations.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the independence, accountability, and performance of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in South Africa. It identifies a systematic tendency to decline to prosecute as the central issue affecting the organization, noting that this trend is not caused by a lack of resources or excessive workloads, but rather by the inappropriate exercise of prosecutorial discretion.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the potential socio-economic impacts of increasing investment in basic education across Africa. Using the International Futures (IFs) modelling system, the authors simulate a scenario where African nations adopt the enrolment and completion growth rates of the continent's best-performing countries. The analysis suggests that a modest increase in GDP allocation to education could lead to significant long-term gains in GDP, poverty reduction, and public health, although these benefits would be realized over several decades.

This December 2011 report by the Institute for Security Studies provides security analyses and early warning assessments for the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC). It focuses on the fragile post-election landscape in Liberia, escalating border conflicts and humanitarian crises between Sudan and South Sudan, the expanding threat of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) across the Sahel, and political instability in Burundi. Additionally, it examines the partnership and occasional divergences between the PSC and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) examines the challenges and legislative requirements regarding public access to financial disclosure records for local government councillors in South Africa. It argues that public accessibility is essential for monitoring conflicts of interest and recommends that municipalities move beyond restrictive legal processes to ensure transparency.

This briefing analyzes the implications of Kenya's 'Operation Linda Nchi', a military offensive launched in October 2011 against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. The operation aims to establish a 100 km buffer zone to prevent incursions and protect Kenya's tourism industry, but it risks transforming Kenya from a victim of Al-Shabaab's activities into a direct target, while potentially increasing economic burdens and complicating Somalia's political roadmap.

The October 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides analysis on peace and security issues across Africa, focusing on the volatile situation in Darfur, the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria, and political instability and terrorism threats in Niger. It also details the upcoming African Union Commission elections and regional counter-terrorism efforts.

The August 2011 PSC Report by the Institute for Security Studies provides an analysis of early warning issues for the African Union Peace and Security Council, focusing heavily on the security challenges facing the newly independent Republic of South Sudan and the ongoing civil war in Libya. It also reviews outcomes from the 17th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in Malabo and discusses the development of a common African position on the UN Arms Trade Treaty.

This statement by the Institute for Security Studies argues that African Union (AU) member states should adopt a positive approach toward the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the 17th Ordinary Session of Heads of State. The author contends that while some states express misgivings about the court's focus on Africa, the ICC remains a vital tool for ending impunity where national systems fail, and that AU decisions shielding leaders from arrest undermine the international rule of law.

This briefing analyzes the political structure of Angola between 2008 and 2010, arguing that the state operates through two parallel ruling structures: a formal government led by the MPLA and a more resilient 'shadow' government controlled by the presidency. The author examines how President José Eduardo Dos Santos uses this dual system, supported by the national oil company Sonangol, to maintain power, manage patronage, and marginalize potential rivals within the party and the state.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the governance of climate finance in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It analyzes the imbalance between mitigation and adaptation funding, the dominance of private finance over public funds, and the role of regional development banks in shaping climate policy and investment in these regions.