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The paper examines the relationship between elections and democracy, arguing that while elections are primary prerequisites for democracy, they are often used in Africa as 'window-dressing rituals' to legitimate existing regimes. It analyzes various electoral systems, the critical role of independent electoral commissions, judiciaries, and militaries, and the functions of international and domestic observation. Additionally, it explores the nature of African political parties, noting their tendency to be ethnically based, personalized, and non-institutionalized.

The workshop examined how elections in Africa often serve as sources of conflict due to poor management, weak institutional frameworks, and the manipulation of state power by ruling parties. Participants discussed the role of regional bodies like ECOWAS and SADC, the limitations of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and the specific failures of Zimbabwe's 2008 elections. The event concluded with recommendations for strengthening the African Union's role in election observation and the need for national constitutional reforms aligned with continental frameworks.

The report examines the historical and socio-economic drivers of terrorism in the Maghreb, focusing on the transition of domestic groups into transnational networks. It details the activities of the GSPC/AQLIM in Algeria, the role of small cell structures in Morocco, and the state-led containment strategies in Tunisia. The document also analyzes the influence of European support networks, the recruitment of North Africans for the insurgency in Iraq, and the effectiveness of various counter-terrorism strategies, including amnesty programs and socio-economic development.

The paper examines the necessity and design of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Zimbabwe to address decades of state-sponsored violence and impunity. It weighs the tensions between retributive and restorative justice, arguing that while political pragmatism may require conditional amnesties to secure a transition, a formal process is essential for victim redress and national healing. The authors provide a framework for a potential commission, covering its mandate, timing, and the complexities of addressing historical violence, including the 1980s gukurahundi campaign.

The paper examines the factors that turn elections into sources of conflict in Africa and proposes a framework to make them developmental assets. It identifies issues such as the 'predatory long incumbency' of leaders, the dominance of single-party systems, and the lack of public confidence in electoral machinery. The author suggests that improving political management requires a combination of individual integrity, AU oversight, and a shift toward 'meaningful developmental decentralisation' that empowers local communities with technical skills and resources rather than using decentralisation as a tool for party control.

The document summarizes a seminar on South Africa's Act 27 of 2006, highlighting concerns over vague definitions, lack of oversight, and potential conflicts with foreign policy and peacekeeping efforts in Africa, while acknowledging the Act's intent to curb mercenarism.

The report details a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to evaluate the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Act 27 of 2006. Experts argued that while the Act aims to curb mercenary activity and align with the South African Constitution, it is overly restrictive, lacks clear definitions for 'humanitarian assistance', and may push the private military and security company (PMSC) industry underground. Discussions highlighted the tension between the Act's punitive approach and the potential utility of PMSCs in peacekeeping and stability operations, as well as the Act's impact on the military profession and its relationship with International Humanitarian Law.

The paper examines the nexus between migration and human security, focusing on the vulnerabilities of undocumented Zimbabweans in South Africa. It identifies push factors in Zimbabwe, such as economic collapse and political repression, and pull factors in South Africa, including economic prosperity. The author argues that the lack of legal documentation renders migrants susceptible to employment exploitation, inadequate shelter, and physical abuse in detention centres. The document also discusses the SADC Protocol on the Facilitation of Movement of Persons as a potential mechanism to reduce illegal migration and improve human security, while noting institutional failures in both Zimbabwe and South Africa that perpetuate the current crisis.

Following the 29 March 2008 elections, Zimbabwe entered a period of high tension as the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) withheld presidential results. The country is described as politically polarised between ZANU-PF's focus on regime security and the MDC's focus on good governance. The authors highlight a severe economic meltdown characterized by inflation exceeding 100,000 percent and widespread shortages. The briefing outlines five possible scenarios: a run-off election, Mugabe conceding via a transitional government, a state-led clampdown, an outright Tsvangirai victory, or an outright Mugabe victory. The authors argue that the international community's peace and security architectures are ill-equipped for such crises and recommend the deployment of more international observers and technical expertise for the ZEC.

The briefing examines the political deadlock in Zimbabwe after the March 2008 elections, where the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) withheld presidential results despite parliamentary and senatorial outcomes indicating a deeply polarised society. The authors argue that the country is caught between two narratives: one of regime security and sovereignty championed by ZANU-PF, and another of good governance and human security advocated by the MDC and civil society. The document details a severe economic collapse characterized by inflation exceeding 100,000 percent and widespread shortages. It outlines five possible scenarios—a run-off, Mugabe's concession via a transitional government, a state of emergency clamp-down, an outright Tsvangirai victory, or a Mugabe victory—and concludes that stability requires political compromise and maturity over 'winner takes all' politics.

The document analyzes the transition of Liberia from post-conflict security to a fragile peace, focusing on the collaboration between the Government of Liberia (GoL) and the United Nations (UNMIL and UNCT). It details a 'dual-track' approach to peacebuilding: infusing conflict-sensitive concerns into existing policy frameworks like the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), while simultaneously developing targeted programming via the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). The author argues that effective peacebuilding requires building consensus on 'conflict factors'—such as poor leadership, weak justice systems, and mismanagement of natural resources—and integrating these into national planning. The paper concludes that coherence in peacebuilding is a matter of degree rather than an end state, recommending that the UN include independent conflict specialists in mission planning and link mission drawdown benchmarks to government institutional capacity rather than just security indicators.

The address argues that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a vital tool for upholding the rule of law and ending impunity for gross human rights violations in Africa. While noting that 30 African states have ratified the Rome Statute, the speaker highlights that all current ICC cases originate from Africa and emphasizes the need for collaboration between the ICC, the African Union, and civil society to achieve substantive justice and lasting peace.

The document provides an update on the African Standby Force (ASF), a multidisciplinary force designed for rapid deployment in peace support operations across Africa. While significant progress has been made in developing doctrine, standard operating procedures, and training, the author notes that the project has failed to meet its original ambitious timelines. Key obstacles include severe logistical deficits, a lack of leadership and staffing at the African Union (AU) level, and a heavy reliance on external funding and technical expertise from international donors. The paper details the varying levels of readiness across five African regions and argues for a more integrated partnership between the AU and the UN to ensure sustainable security operations.

The SAPS Criminal Record and Forensic Science Service (CRFSS) faces significant operational hurdles despite improvements in DNA backlogs between 2004 and 2006. Key challenges include high staff turnover due to low salaries, insufficient training for forensic field workers leading to poor quality evidence, and delays caused by a lack of prosecutor requests for DNA analysis. To address these, the SAPS implemented the Genetic Sample Processing System (GSPS) in 2007, a large-scale robotics system designed to eliminate human error and increase processing volume. The author recommends market-related salaries, contractual training bonds, and the establishment of an offender DNA database to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice process.

The report assesses a US$2 million Japanese ODA project coordinated by UNICEF to provide health, nutrition, and shelter services to 200,000 returnees in Acholiland, northern Uganda. It finds that the project successfully improved access to basic services for women and children, aligning with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) goals of human security. Key achievements include the rehabilitation of ten health centres, the distribution of 10,000 insecticide-treated nets, and the training of 2,000 community health volunteers. However, the report notes constraints such as communication breakdowns in the distribution chain and delays caused by 2007 floods.

The document examines the mechanisms for controlling the import, export, and transit of small arms and light weapons (SALW), arguing that while global frameworks like the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) provide essential guidelines, implementation is most effective at national and regional levels. It highlights that regional agreements in Africa, such as the Nairobi Protocol and the SADC Firearms Protocol, often establish more stringent and context-specific standards than global agreements. The paper provides detailed case studies of Mauritius and South Africa, noting their legislative efforts to regulate firearms and prevent the diversion of legal arms into illicit markets. It concludes that the primary challenge for many African states is a lack of capacity and resources to implement these controls, necessitating targeted international assistance that supports rather than replaces national initiatives.

The Africa Human Security Initiative (AHSI) is organizing a workshop in Nairobi on May 7, 2008, focusing on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Greater Horn of Africa. The document argues that IDPs are a highly vulnerable population often neglected by states due to conceptual debates, lack of political will, and the non-binding nature of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. It highlights the scale of the issue, noting that in 2004, IDP numbers in three specific countries far exceeded refugee numbers in five. The workshop aims to map displacement, assess government capacity, and develop a regional policy document and strategic action plan for managing displacement crises.

The briefing examines the role of ethnic markers in Kenya's post-election violence, noting that while identity cards do not explicitly state tribe, cultural naming conventions allow perpetrators to identify and target individuals. It highlights the resulting mistrust in public sectors like healthcare and education, and argues for a neutral national identification system, the devolution of power, and the elimination of neo-patrimonial politics to ensure long-term stability.

The document examines the proposal for a Union Government for Africa, analyzing the tension between 'maximalists' who seek immediate establishment and 'gradualists' who prioritize regional integration. It explores the role of the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the African Diaspora in this process. Key discussions focus on defining domains of competence, managing national sovereignty, financing mechanisms, and the necessity of including civil society and gender perspectives to ensure a people-driven union.

The document evaluates the South African Army's role in the evolving African security architecture, focusing on the African Standby Force (ASF) and SADC Brigade. It analyzes the nature of African conflict, the necessity of rapid deployment capabilities, and the impact of cultural intelligence and professionalization on mission success. The report highlights significant challenges for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), including budget constraints, human resource crises due to HIV/AIDS and aging personnel, and the risks associated with the privatization of security. It concludes that while the SANDF possesses high technical capabilities, its effectiveness as a lead nation is hindered by structural deficiencies and a lack of political prioritization of defense funding.