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This research paper examines the perceptions, support, and reservations of African countries regarding the proposed Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a global initiative to establish universal standards for the legal trade of conventional weapons. It specifically analyzes the viewpoints of five African nations that participated in a United Nations Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and discusses the potential benefits and challenges of implementing such a treaty across the continent.

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 seminar report analyzes the political instability in Somalia following the establishment of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government. It highlights the rise of radical Islamist groups like Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the 'talibanization' of governed areas, and the government's failure to produce policy documents or engage key social and political stakeholders despite ongoing peace agreements.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Ghana's 2008 general elections, characterizing the peaceful transfer of power from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a significant step toward democratic consolidation. It examines the role of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the influence of ethno-regional voting patterns, and the lessons Ghana's experience offers for other African nations struggling with political stability.

This report summarizes a public seminar held on July 14, 2009, in Addis Ababa, which examined the security and political situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically North and South Kivu. The discussion focused on the role of armed groups, the effectiveness of military operations, the normalization of relations between the DRC and Rwanda, and the challenges facing the Congolese army and MONUC.

This report summarizes an ISS public seminar analyzing the 13th Ordinary AU Summit. The primary focus was the AU's decision to non-cooperate with the ICC regarding President Al-Bashir, the AU's frustration with the UN Security Council's referral powers, and the potential limitations of the proposed AU Authority.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the systemic failures of the criminal justice system in Sierra Leone following a decade-long civil war. It identifies critical weaknesses across policing, prosecution, prisons, and the judiciary, highlighting issues of corruption, underfunding, and outdated legislation. The document recommends comprehensive reforms, including budgetary increases, the modernization of legal acts, and the harmonization of the dual legal system to improve access to justice for marginalized groups.

This 2009 policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the criminal justice system in Zambia, identifying systemic weaknesses across policing, prosecution, the judiciary, and prison services. The document highlights a critical dichotomy between the constitutionally recognised legal system and the widely used customary law, alongside pervasive issues of underfunding, capacity shortages, and human rights abuses.

This policy brief examines the philosophical and practical failures of criminal justice systems in Africa, arguing that many are legacies of colonial structures used by elites to maintain power. The author advocates for a shift from individualistic, retributive Western models toward restorative justice and community-led reforms to support societal development and the rule of law.

This seminar report from the Institute for Security Studies details a discussion on the shift toward a 'harder' approach in South African policing discourse and its potential impact on human rights, integrity, and oversight.

This report summarizes a seminar held on 22 June 2009 by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria regarding the role of the private security sector in African conflicts. The event featured a presentation by Doug Brooks, President of the Association of the Stability Operations Industry (IPOA), and a response from Lawrence Juma of the University of Fort Hare, focusing on the utility, ethics, and regulation of private security contractors in peacekeeping and stabilization efforts.

This seminar report details a presentation by Dr. Emma Archer and a response by Dr. Jakkie Cilliers on climate risk impacts and adaptation in Southern Africa. The event, hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria on 22 June 2009, examined the vulnerability of sectors such as agriculture, water, and health, and discussed the role of governance and urbanization in mitigating climate-induced risks.

This seminar report details a public event held on 3 June 2009 in Pretoria, featuring Judge Sang-Hyun Song, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The document outlines the ICC's operational status, its relationship with state sovereignty, and the tensions between the Court and the African Union (AU) regarding the prosecution of sitting heads of state.

This situation report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the structure, ideology, and strategic evolution of Al-Shabaab in Somalia as of June 2009. It examines the group's emergence following the Ethiopian military intervention in 2006 and its current efforts to undermine the National Unity Government led by President Sheikh Sharif.

This situation report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the political crisis in Chad, analyzing the failure of previous intervention efforts and the interests of domestic and international actors. It argues that while the international community often views the conflict as a spillover from the Darfur crisis, the root causes are internal governance failures and power struggles over state resources, particularly oil. The report evaluates several peace agreements and UN/EU missions, concluding that a lack of political will and coordinated implementation has hindered a sustainable resolution.

This report summarizes an Institute for Security Studies (ISS) seminar held on June 17, 2009, in Pretoria. The session, featuring historian Stefan August Lütgenau and respondent Issake Souaré, examined the complexities of arts and cultural heritage restitution, focusing on Austria's post-WWII experience with Nazi-looted assets and the broader challenges of returningCS colonial looting in Africa.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the historical development and current challenges of establishing democratic accountability and oversight for intelligence services in Africa. It argues that intelligence agencies have traditionally served regime security rather than public security, often facilitating human rights abuses, and outlines the necessary mechanisms and political shifts required to transition toward transparent, democratically governed services.

This report chapter examines the state of the prison system in Sierra Leone as of 2008-2009, detailing systemic failures in human rights, infrastructure, and legal processes. It highlights severe overcrowding, poor medical care, and a lack of legal representation, while noting that the Prisons Service lacks the funding and human resources to comply with international standards despite government efforts to renovate facilities.

This report examines the judiciary of Sierra Leone, detailing its historical evolution from the colonial era through periods of authoritarianism and civil war to its current democratic transition. It analyzes the legal framework established by the 1991 Constitution, the structure of the court system, and the persistent challenges regarding judicial independence, institutional capacity, and access to justice for vulnerable populations.

This chapter of a 2008 country review examines Sierra Leone's engagement with regional and international legal instruments. It details the process of ratification and domestication, identifies significant delays in the ratification process, lists numerous conventions yet to be ratified, and attributes these failures to institutional inertia within the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Justice.