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This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the stalemate in Zimbabwe's constitution-drafting process under the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the role of SADC mediation led by South African President Jacob Zuma, and the potential political scenarios surrounding the expected June 2013 elections.

This research paper by Andre Standing examines the nature of organised crime, arguing that the term has become a muddled analytical concept in mainstream discourse. The author proposes replacing the concepts of 'organised crime' and 'white-collar crime' with the notion of 'illicit enterprise' to shift the analytical focus from criminal groups to specific commodity and service economies.

This seminar report from the Institute for Security Studies outlines the objectives of a gathering of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers aimed at critically reflecting on post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts, specifically addressing the gap between top-down strategies and local interests.

Peace and Security Council Report No 26 provides analysis on political instability and security challenges in Libya, Egypt, Guinea, and Malawi, alongside a retrospective on the African Union's response to drought in the Horn of Africa.

This research paper examines the potential for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute peacekeepers for serious crimes committed in Africa, concluding that the ICC's role will likely be limited due to jurisdictional constraints and the principle of complementarity.

This monograph, edited by Cheryl Hendricks and published by the Institute for Security Studies, presents a collection of think pieces from a December 2005 workshop in Cape Town. It examines the transition from a state-centric security paradigm to a human security approach in Southern Africa, analyzing the conceptual challenges, the role of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and the persistent gap between policy frameworks and the actual lived experiences of citizens.

A briefing by the Institute for Security Studies regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Preparatory Committee meeting in New York from 4 to 15 May 2009, focusing on the treaty's pillars and the strategic interests of African states leading up to the 2010 Review Conference.

This briefing by Max du Plessis analyzes the Kenyan government's efforts to obstruct International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings regarding the 2007-8 post-election violence. The author argues that Kenya's strategy—seeking a UN Security Council deferral under Article 16 of the Rome Statute—is legally flawed and politically risky, while suggesting a complementary approach where national courts try lower-level perpetrators and the ICC focuses on those with the greatest responsibility.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the failures of government-led rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for defectors from violent extremist groups in Africa, highlighting how human rights abuses and a lack of transparency drive defectors away from state processes and toward civil society or direct community return.

This report describes an international conference organized by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Ethiopia to examine and enhance cooperation between China and the African Union (AU) regarding peace and security in Africa.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the European Union's proposed priority areas for the Africa-EU strategy do not sufficiently reflect African priorities, specifically those outlined in the Abidjan Declaration and Agenda 2063. The authors urge African negotiators to push for a more holistic, people-centred approach that prioritises poverty eradication, healthcare systems, transport infrastructure, and internet access, while using the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for debt relief and increased health support.

A briefing by the Institute for Security Studies regarding a seminar on Zimbabwe's political and economic instability held on 27 November 2002.

This research paper by Godfrey M Musila examines the potential role of the Pan-African Parliament and the proposed African Court of Justice and Human Rights within a hypothetical continental political union for Africa, arguing that both institutions would require significant reform to function in such a system.

This research paper examines the exclusion of women's experiences from mainstream depictions of war, specifically focusing on female soldiers in Sierra Leone. It argues for the recognition of wartime rape as a tactic of war and the need to address the insecurity faced by women and children during and after conflict to create effective post-conflict policies.

This research paper by Sibusiso Masuku describes the development of a crime reduction strategy for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Supported by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Open Society Foundation, the project involved a crime audit to identify local safety challenges and capacity gaps, resulting in a strategy focused on partnerships, bylaw enforcement, and environmental design.

This report presents the findings of a national household survey on violence against women in Malawi, conducted by the National Statistics Office's Crime and Justice Statistical Division and funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) through the MaSSAJ programme.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the military victory over Muammar Gaddafi in Libya is only the beginning of a difficult process to achieve political stability. The author identifies immediate security crises, including the proliferation of weapons and the lack of a unified command for security forces, alongside long-term structural challenges such as the need to build state institutions from the ground up and the requirement for national reconciliation.

This text is an introduction to a research paper by Naomi Kok of the Institute for Security Studies. It identifies the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as the primary body for peace and security in sub-Saharan Africa but notes that its post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) efforts have been limited. The paper aims to explore structural challenges within SADC and how South Africa can overcome constraints to strengthen these PCRD activities.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines crime patterns and policing effectiveness in inner Johannesburg, specifically focusing on the Hillbrow area. It utilizes survey data from 1,100 residents to analyze the prevalence of robbery, assault, and drug use, while evaluating the impact of SAPS resource allocation and community perceptions of crime.

This briefing discusses the political instability and foreign policy of Eritrea, including concerns over President Isaias Afwerki's health and the country's efforts to undermine Ethiopia. It also reports on Kofi Annan's visit to Kenya to assess electoral preparedness for the March 2013 elections.