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This monograph by the Institute for Security Studies examines the complexities of crime in South Africa, highlighting the limitations of official statistics and the regional variations in criminality. It argues that crime is a multifaceted problem requiring localized strategies and announces a comprehensive research project by the Institute for Defence Policy to address critical gaps in policy data and emerging security concerns.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers discusses the establishment of the SADC Organ for Defence, Politics and Security, arguing that regional economic growth and development are dependent on peace, stability, and a transition toward democracy.

This research paper evaluates Africa's progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene) by 2030 using the International Futures forecasting system.

This research paper by Eric Pelser of the Institute for Security Studies examines the contradictions between President Mbeki's 1999 commitment to strengthen Community Police Fora (CPFs) and the guidelines set out in the 1998 White Paper on Safety and Security regarding local government capacity and policy review.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) critiques the lack of evidence in anti-trafficking campaigns preceding the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. The authors argue that sensationalized claims, such as those in the "Stop 2010 Human Trafficking" campaign, conflate sex work with trafficking and overestimate risks, which may divert resources and hinder the ability of sex workers to report actual crimes due to the continued criminalization of their work.

This research paper examines the abuse of power by Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) in Kenya following the 2013 general elections. It argues that MCAs have transitioned from agents of governance to tools of political extortion, leveraging ambiguous impeachment laws and their strategic grassroots position to blackmail county officials and misuse public funds.

This policy brief examines the historical and structural challenges facing the judicial systems of Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zambia, highlighting how colonial legacies of executive dominance continue to undermine judicial independence and the protection of human rights.

This study evaluates the role of traditional and enlightened women's movements in managing electoral crises in Nigeria and Kenya, contrasting informal traditional methods—such as sex strikes and the display of bare breasts by elderly women—against formal, gendered peace processes in African transitional democracies.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that while illegal mining is a pervasive aspect of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it is a manifestation rather than a root cause. The author contends that focusing solely on regulating the mining sector—through measures like the DRC's 2010-2011 mining ban or the US Dodd-Frank Act—without addressing underlying issues of governance, land, and ethnicity is insufficient for achieving sustainable peace.

A report by the Institute for Security Studies exploring the emergence of violent extremism in the Cabo Delgado province of northern Mozambique, based on fieldwork in four districts.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the current and potential role of the UN Security Council in conflict prevention, providing policy recommendations and analyzing the influence of Global South countries and new UN leadership.

This research paper argues that current humanitarian military interventions in Africa are inadequate because they rely on outdated Cold War peacekeeping doctrines. The author calls for a new 'humanitarian security intervention' doctrine that allows for a higher remit in the use of force to prioritize the restoration of security over simple humanitarian assistance.

This research paper by Collette Schulz-Herzenberg of the Institute for Security Studies examines whether elections in South Africa serve as an effective accountability mechanism by analyzing voter behavior, perceptions of political parties, and cognitive mobilization.

This report, the second volume of a monograph edited by Peter Gastrow for the Institute for Security Studies, examines the penetration of organised crime into state and business structures across Southern Africa. It specifically provides detailed country studies on Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa, illustrating how criminal networks exploit weak governance and economic instability to create a regional market for illicit goods.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the isolation of the Eritrean regime, detailing its strained relations with the international community, conflicts with neighboring states, and the economic impact of international sanctions and restrictions.

This research paper by Dr Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies argues that Africa's high dependency on natural resources creates severe adaptive challenges when facing the combined pressures of climate change and population growth.

This research paper examines the limited impact of international security sector reform (SSR) and stabilisation efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2003, attributing failures to a technical approach that ignored political dynamics and elite incentives.

This research paper examines the international debate and various forums regarding the banning of anti-personnel landmines (APMs), specifically focusing on the tension between security and humanitarian perspectives and the role of the Ottawa Process.

This monograph examines the evolving relationship between the African Union (AU) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), focusing on the transition from early support to current tensions highlighted by the arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Peace and Security Council Report No 29 provides analyses on several security challenges across Africa, including the credibility of presidential elections in Liberia, ongoing conflict in Sudan, the expansion of AQIM, political instability in Burundi, and the coordination between the African Peace and Security Architecture (ASPA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).