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The document argues that tensions between the Somali Federal Government (SFG) and regional actors over the creation of the Jubaland state—comprising Gedo, Middle Juba, and Lower Juba—threaten national stability. While Kenya and Ethiopia seek a buffer zone to secure their borders against Al-Shabaab, the SFG views the current process as unilateral and unconstitutional. The briefing warns that these disputes over governance, clan representation, and sovereignty create security gaps that Al-Shabaab can exploit, as evidenced by the group's rapid takeover of Huddur following Ethiopian troop withdrawals.

The document examines the stability of Rwanda's government under President Paul Kagame, noting a significant loss of donor assistance following allegations of support for the M23 rebellion in the DRC. It highlights a tightly controlled political environment where opposition figures, such as Victoire Ingabire, face imprisonment and exiled members of the Rwandan National Congress have their passports cancelled. The briefing warns that the lack of viable opposition and the perception of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) as a Tutsi-dominated party may threaten long-term stability, especially as President Kagame indicated he would not seek another term after 2017.

The Zimbabwean government is preparing to introduce legislation to regulate NGOs, which analysts suggest is a strategy to marginalise civic organisations that challenge the ruling party's political hegemony. The proposed Bill is expected to specifically target groups focused on human rights, good governance, and democracy, potentially threatening the survival of NGOs and the safety of independent activists.

The document discusses the effort to end the "culture of impunity" regarding gross human rights violations and international humanitarian law. It specifically examines the impetus for establishing specialised criminal tribunals in Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and East Timor, while noting that significant obstacles remain in the path of these proposed legal mechanisms.

The paper analyzes the regulatory landscape for private military and security companies (PMSCs), focusing on the UN Draft International Convention and the Montreux Document. It specifically examines the risks associated with unregulated recruitment of Africans and the deployment of PMSCs in combat zones and within the context of the envisaged Africa Command (Africom).

The document examines the misalignment between European interests and the local political economy of migrant smuggling in Niger, specifically focusing on the hub of Agadez and the broader Niger-Libya corridor.

The briefing examines the paradigm of humanitarian intervention and the 'responsibility to protect' (R2P) in post-cold war Africa. The author contends that these interventions often fail to address deep-seated inequalities and may inadvertently prolong conflicts by creating truces that allow weaker parties to rearm. The text suggests that non-intervention—allowing a conflict to reach a military conclusion—or targeted political and credible protection missions may be more effective alternatives for achieving durable peace.

The document describes a study on Boko Haram conducted from the perspective of affected Nigerian citizens. It identifies that motivations for joining the group are complex and include financial incentives, concluding that responses to the group must be multifaceted and multi-layered.

On 7 November, Malagasy political actors agreed to a collegial leadership structure for the transition government, where President Andy Rajoelina shares executive power with two co-presidents from the camps of former Presidents Marc Ravalomanana and Albert Zafy. The agreement requires all three leaders to approve and sign major decisions. The author expresses skepticism about the stability of this 'triumvirate' model, citing a failed historical precedent in Benin and ongoing tensions over strategic ministerial portfolios such as Defense, Finance, and Foreign Affairs. The briefing notes that SADC pressure and the need for credible elections by the end of 2010 are central to the process, while the long-term stability of Madagascar depends on the shifting power dynamics between Rajoelina and Ravalomanana.

The author critiques the South African legal system for the unnecessary detention of poor individuals, highlighting a case where a man was imprisoned for four months over the theft of R50 worth of food because he could not afford bail. The text argues that officials ignore legal mechanisms to avoid unnecessary prosecution and that sentencing is drastically disproportionate between the poor and the wealthy.

The document introduces a research project focused on the regulation of the private security sector in Africa, aiming to influence policy through country-specific reports.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the drivers and threats to peace in Mozambique in the two decades following its civil war and first multiparty elections. The authors analyze national stability plans focusing on demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR), socio-economic development, decentralisation, justice, and natural resource investment to derive seven key findings for peacebuilding.

The document examines how natural resources influence power politics and fuel armed conflicts in Africa, while cautioning against a mono-causal link between these conflicts and climate change. It advocates for a comprehensive, multi-level management strategy to address the nexus between resource management and peace building.

This research paper examines the potential economic and environmental implications of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas in South Africa, presenting three distinct scenarios to evaluate the trade-offs between economic growth and ecological preservation.

This research paper examines the implementation of financial disclosure requirements for elected officials in South Africa from 2004 to 2008. It evaluates compliance, institutional capacity, oversight mechanisms, and public access to information to determine how these regulations control conflicts of interest and ensure political accountability.

The text discusses the distinction between Chapter VI and Chapter VII of the UN Charter regarding the use of force in peacekeeping. It highlights the role of the Mission d`Organisation des Nations Unies en Republique Democratique du Congo (MONUC) in a volatile environment characterized by state collapse and regional instability, where the military component was required to lead security efforts and protect civilians.

The document argues for the necessity of updating the 1977 OAU/AU Convention on the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa to address the 'emerging and flourishing industry' of private military and security companies. It seeks to promote a better understanding of the private security sector's role in peacekeeping and corporate security, while advocating for the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks to govern these entities and eliminate mercenary activity across African countries.

The document examines the relationship between the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and various African subregional organisations regarding conflict management and peacekeeping. It notes that while the limitations of the United Nations and the OAU are widely understood, there is a lack of clarity regarding subregional organisations due to their diversity in structure, resources, and orientation. The author intends to establish a security context for these entities and propose guidelines to enhance their role and define their relationship with the OAU.

This text is the introductory material for a book titled 'The many faces of human security: Case studies of seven countries in Southern Africa', produced by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) with funding from the Royal Danish embassy in South Africa. It outlines the collaborative effort between the ISS, the Southern African Peace and Security Network (SAPSNet), and various academic and strategic partners across seven Southern African nations to explore the concept of human security in a region historically dominated by state security priorities.

This research paper provides an overview of United States contributions to peace and security in Africa, focusing on the current period and immediate future. It defines the nature of instability and insecurity on the continent and outlines the various military, economic, and governance-related measures that Americans believe can attenuate these conditions.