Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper analyzes South Africa's decision to vote in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 regarding military intervention in Libya. The author argues that South Africa failed to foresee how the resolution would be used by NATO to pursue regime change rather than solely protecting civilians, suggesting that South Africa may not yet be prepared for the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council seat.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the drivers of export participation for South African firms. It argues that increasing aggregate exports requires a dual focus on increasing the number of exporting firms and increasing the volume exported by existing firms. The author highlights that South African exporters are typically larger, more capital-intensive, and more productive than non-exporters, and identifies high transport costs and firm size as primary barriers to entry for new exporters.

This research paper argues that former President Laurent Gbagbo's portrayal of himself as an anti-imperialist victim of 'Françafrique' is inaccurate, asserting instead that he was a participant in these networks and benefited from French diplomatic support to secure power.

This research paper analyzes the precarious nature of President Ouattara's control over Cote d'Ivoire following the ousting of Gbagbo, arguing that the forces that secured his victory are not loyal to him but are fragmented rebel groups with their own agendas.

This research paper examines Rwanda's progress 17 years after the 1994 genocide, contrasting significant socio-economic growth and gender parity with a restrictive political environment and human rights concerns under President Paul Kagame.

This research paper examines South Africa's strategic objectives and challenges following its invitation to join the BRIC grouping in December 2010, focusing on its role as a representative for Africa in global governance, development, and trade.

This report documents a speaker's meeting on April 4, 2011, featuring Rob Davies, the South African Minister of Trade and Industry. The discussion focuses on South Africa's trade strategy, the challenges of the WTO Doha Development Round, and the potential of the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (T-FTA) to enhance regional integration and economic growth.

This meeting report details a policy dialogue organized by the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in March 2011. The event focused on the implications of engagement by China, India, and Brazil (CIB) in Africa and how this affects Africa-Europe relations, emphasizing the need for mutual learning, triangular cooperation, and African-led development strategies.

This research paper examines the political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire through the lens of 'warlordism,' a phenomenon previously seen in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The author argues that the characteristics of violent political entrepreneurs—including the use of mystical discourse, the exploitation of communal grievances, and the use of illicit international networks—are emerging within Côte d’Ivoire, specifically noting the behavior of militia leaders and President Laurent Gbagbo.

This policy briefing examines the trend of trade protectionism and 'bail-out' subsidies following the global economic recession, specifically analyzing whether South Africa's industrial support measures comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM).

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the African Union's (AU) principle of rejecting unconstitutional changes of government. It analyzes the 'democrat's dilemma'—the tension between maintaining constitutional order and supporting popular uprisings against authoritarian regimes—specifically in the context of the 2011 Maghreb revolutions.

A statement by Fred Phaswana, Chairperson of the SAIIA National Council, discussing the role of think tanks in analyzing North African uprisings, the importance of democratic electoral processes in Africa, and South Africa's strategic international engagements in 2011, including its role in the UN Security Council, BRICS, and hosting the 17th UN Conference of the Parties on Climate Change.

This briefing from the South African Institute of International Affairs addresses misconceptions regarding the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), specifically countering claims that South Africa acts as a regional bully or unilaterally controls revenue distribution. It explains the mechanics of the 2006 revenue sharing formula and argues that South Africa provides significant financial transfers to smaller member states while remaining committed to the union's stability.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines South Africa's decision not to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and suggests that the country could provide leadership in mining transparency by doing so or by implementing legislation similar to the US Dodd-Frank Act.

This policy briefing examines how the governance of oil resources contributed to the secession of Southern Sudan. It argues that the failure of the National Congress Party (NCP) to ensure fair revenue sharing, transparency, and local community development convinced Southern Sudanese that they would benefit more from an independent state than from a united Sudan.

This briefing analyzes the context of President Zuma's visit to Paris, focusing on the instability of French foreign policy toward Africa and the diplomatic tensions between France and South Africa regarding the political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire.

This policy briefing evaluates Uganda's preparedness for managing oil revenues following the discovery of approximately 2.5 billion barrels of oil. The author argues that while there are high expectations for economic prosperity, Uganda lacks the necessary legal, institutional, and transparency frameworks to avoid the 'resource curse'. The document highlights gaps in the Petroleum Bill of 2010, restrictions on access to information, and the failure to establish institutions mandated by the 2008 Oil and Gas Policy.

This policy briefing analyzes the economic impact of oil production in Angola, focusing on the risks of the 'resource curse' and the necessity of institutional reform to ensure sustainable growth and economic diversification before the projected peak of oil production.

This research paper analyzes the causes of popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa to draw parallels and warnings for the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, arguing that constitutional democracy alone is insufficient to prevent street protests if the government remains unresponsive to the needs of the citizenry.

This research paper contrasts the official Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town with the concurrent Alternative Mining Indaba, highlighting the exclusion of civil society from the main event and the systemic grievances of African communities regarding mining investments.