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This research paper examines the challenges faced by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in implementing UN Security Council resolution 1593 to investigate crimes in Darfur. The author argues that the ICC's success is heavily dependent on the political will and cooperation of the Sudanese government, which has historically obstructed investigators and resisted the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.

This research paper examines the root causes, obstacles, and potential peace-building strategies for the Somali conflict. The authors argue that the civil war, which began after the ousting of General Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, is driven by competition for power and resources, state repression, and a colonial legacy, further exacerbated by politicized clan identities and the availability of weapons. The paper identifies Ethiopia's hostile foreign policy and the interests of local warlords as primary obstacles to peace and proposes a comprehensive strategy involving security, clan-based power-sharing, economic redevelopment, and Islam-informed peace education.

This research paper by Chris Maroleng of the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the internal fragmentation of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The author argues that the MDC's split into 'militant' and 'moderate' factions reflects a broader failure of the Zimbabwean political system, where a lack of ideological unity and a tendency toward 'big man' leadership styles—similar to those of the ruling ZANU-PF—undermine the opposition's ability to provide a democratic alternative.

This research paper, written by Commander Seth Appiah-Mensah, evaluates the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) in Darfur as of March 2006. It analyzes the mission's achievements in humanitarian stability and political mediation against significant challenges, including a restrictive mandate, chronic funding shortages, and a volatile security environment exacerbated by cross-border tensions with Chad. The author argues for a transition to a United Nations mission to ensure sustainable funding and a more robust mandate for the protection of civilians.

This research paper by Cephas Lumina examines the mechanisms used to ensure police accountability and oversight within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It analyzes the functions of civilian oversight, the international legal obligations of SADC member states to investigate police abuse, and the specific internal and external oversight tools employed across the region, while suggesting a shift toward more proactive, systemic approaches to policing reform.

This fact sheet provides a list of countries that have signed, ratified, or acceded to the African Union (AU) Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism as of 23 June 2006.

This report evaluates the first five years of South Africa's metropolitan police departments (MPDs), noting their heavy focus on traffic enforcement over crime prevention due to resource constraints and a lack of investigative powers. It also details the transformation of public order policing into Area Crime Combating Units (ACCUs) and assesses the impact of 'zero tolerance' community courts in the Western Cape, finding that while they improve access to justice, some (like the Cape Town court) may disproportionately target homeless populations.

This research paper by Antony Altbeker for the Institute for Security Studies examines the divergent trends of property crime in South Africa between the late 1990s and 2004. It argues that the decline in car theft and hijacking was partially mirrored by an increase in aggravated robberies, suggesting a displacement effect where criminals shifted their activities as car theft became riskier and less profitable.

This research paper by Prince Mashele of the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), contrasting it with previous African socio-economic initiatives. The author argues that NEPAD differs from its predecessors through its acceptance of globalisation, its defined administrative structures, and the introduction of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) to address domestic governance. While the paper notes progress in policy development and specific infrastructure and agricultural projects, it highlights significant challenges regarding implementation capacity, funding gaps, and a lack of continent-wide political ownership.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) is a regional human security policy thinktank focused exclusively on Africa, aiming to support policy formulation and decision-making to enhance human security across the continent.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies argues for the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, peace-building, and post-conflict reconstruction in Africa. It examines the gender-based violence women face during conflict, the historical exclusion of women from political processes, and the potential of international and regional rights-based frameworks—such as those from the UN and AU—to secure gender equality and political representation.

This research paper examines the disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration (DDR) processes in Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Africa following their respective transitions from liberation wars to peace. The author argues that while disarmament and demobilisation were often achieved, the reintegration of former combatants into civilian life was consistently neglected or poorly implemented across all three nations, leading to long-term security threats and economic burdens.

A fact sheet from the Institute for Security Studies detailing the number of military observers, troops, and police contributed by 32 African countries to UN peacekeeping missions as of the end of April 2006.

This 2006 report by the Institute for Security Studies and the Restorative Justice Centre documents the state of restorative justice (RJ) practice in South Africa. It maps over sixty projects across various sectors—including probation services, correctional services, civil society, and traditional leadership—to evaluate the scope and quality of services provided to victims and offenders. The authors argue that RJ should be viewed as a philosophy and approach rather than a specific programme, and they advocate for its 'mainstreaming' within the criminal justice system through a partnership where civil society leads direct service delivery while the state acts as an enabler, resourcer, and guarantor of quality.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) conducted two workshops in Blantyre and Lilongwe in March 2006 to educate Malawian accountants on money laundering and terrorist financing. The workshops highlighted Malawi's vulnerability due to its cash-dominated economy and the prevalence of corruption. Participants urged the government to pass the pending anti-money laundering bill, establish an autonomous financial intelligence unit, and engage the judiciary to ensure the law's effectiveness. While generally well-received, participants called for better preparation and more localized practical examples in future sessions.

This 2005 briefing describes the insurgency in northern Uganda as a 'war against children,' highlighting the LRA's systematic abduction of youth and the resulting displacement of over 1.6 million people into squalid 'protected villages.' It critiques the Ugandan government's military failures, including Operation Iron Fist I, and discusses the complex regional involvement of Sudan. The report emphasizes the collapse of health and education services in the north and the challenges of achieving peace through the International Criminal Court's warrants and local amnesty processes.

This research paper evaluates the impact of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1997, which introduced mandatory minimum sentences for serious crimes in South Africa. The authors argue that the legislation has failed to reduce serious and violent crime or achieve sentencing consistency, while significantly contributing to prison overcrowding.

This research paper critiques the reliability of non-police crime statistics in South Africa, specifically those from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System (NIMSS). The author demonstrates how urban sampling biases and flawed statistical assumptions led to an overestimation of murder rates in rural areas (such as Limpopo) and inaccurate conclusions regarding the vulnerability of the 'Coloured' community. The paper concludes that while police data has limitations, the alternative datasets used in these cases were stretched beyond their limits, and SAPS figures should be preferred unless proven erroneous.

The research paper analyzes South African Police Service (SAPS) crime statistics for the period April 2004 to March 2005. The author argues that while police statistics are subject to under-reporting and under-recording, the overall trend shows a broad decline in serious crime, particularly in well-recorded categories like murder and car theft, alongside an exponential increase in arrests.

This research paper examines the structural and institutional mechanisms established to fight corruption in Malawi since the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1994, with a specific focus on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).