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This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the legal and constitutional concerns surrounding the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) during the 2011/2012 festive season policing operations.

This situation report describes the inequitable land distribution in Zimbabwe following its independence from Britain in 1980, detailing the disparity in land ownership between white commercial farmers and indigenous communal farmers.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the potential impact of the withdrawal of the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) on the recruitment and use of child soldiers. It argues that while the DRC has a legal framework prohibiting child soldiering, a lack of government capacity and socio-economic instability leave youth vulnerable to exploitation by armed groups.

This briefing examines the potential for a West African military intervention in Mali following the seizure of northern territory by rebel groups, including the MNLA, Ansar Dine, and AQIM. It analyzes the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) reservations regarding such a mandate, the complexities of mediating between groups with competing agendas, and the necessity of combining military action with diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance.

This research paper analyzes the conflict in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan (1985–2002), attributing the insurgency to systematic marginalisation, inter-ethnic tensions, and national political decay. It highlights the orchestrating role of the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A and urges international pressure on the signatories of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement to ensure stability in South Kordofan.

This research paper by Martinho Chachiua describes 'Operation Rachel', a joint intelligence-driven initiative between Mozambique and South Africa established following a 1995 crime combating agreement to locate and destroy illegal arms caches in Mozambique.

This report describes a conference held on 25 and 26 October 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa, focused on national security and access to information. The event aimed to develop principles for national security and access to information based on comparative law and policy, specifically informing the debate on South Africa's Protection of Information Bill.

This briefing describes the outcomes of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, focusing on the instability in Mali. The regional body proposed a military response through the fast-tracking of the Force Mission in Mali (MICEMA) and a Technical Assessment Mission, while noting the challenges of securing international support and a UN mandate.

This statement by Collette Schulz Herzenberg of the Institute for Security Studies argues that South Africa's ethics infrastructure is ineffective due to poor implementation and a lack of political commitment. It calls for a shift from a rules-based society to one based on values, alongside specific policy reforms to combat corruption and conflicts of interest in public life.

This research paper explores how stakeholders can improve trade and investment between India and Africa by increasing the involvement of the private sector, framing these relations within the context of South–South cooperation and the third India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the 2012 Senegalese presidential election, focusing on the role of electoral integrity in preventing political crisis despite attempts by President Abdoulaye Wade to secure a third term.

This research paper by Collette Schulz-Herzenberg of the Institute for Security Studies examines whether public policy influenced voting outcomes in the 2009 South African elections. The author argues that policy issues had a limited direct impact on voter decisions due to a significant disconnect between the priorities of the electorate and the focus of both media coverage and political party campaigns.

This research paper examines the implementation of sector policing on the West Rand following a 2003 Draft National Instruction by SAPS National Commissioner Jackie Selebi. The study focuses on three station precincts—Randfontein, Roodepoort, and Kagiso—analyzing how the region transitioned from centralized capacities to decentralized sub-precinct sectors incorporating community policing (COP) and problem-oriented policing (POP). While the document notes successes in targeted patrolling and risk factor identification, it highlights challenges regarding the effectiveness of Sector Crime Forums, the policing of illegal shebeens, and the personalization of conflicts between officers and offenders.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the rise of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Africa, their role in filling service gaps left by weak states, and the resulting political tensions between these organisations and African governments.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the Green Climate Fund (GCF) represents a critical opportunity to reform international climate finance by addressing systemic biases toward large-scale mitigation and a lack of gender-responsiveness. The authors emphasize that poor rural women, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, are disproportionately affected by climate change but remain underfunded due to structural discrimination and a preference for high-tech projects over community-level initiatives.

This research paper by Kithure Kindiki examines the legal and policy challenges surrounding the atrocities in Darfur, arguing that the scale of human rights violations justifies forcible humanitarian intervention despite claims of state sovereignty by the Government of Sudan.

The death of Vice President Simon Vengesayi Muzenda on 20 September 2003 has accelerated the succession struggle within Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU PF, and created a destabilising power vacuum in Masvingo province.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies argues that transitioning Somalia from conflict to post-conflict stability requires shifting security responsibilities from military forces to an enhanced, professional police force to protect liberated areas from al-Shabaab's guerrilla tactics and build public trust.

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the instability in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the failure of stabilization plans due to ongoing conflict, human rights abuses by both armed groups and national forces, and the complicating influence of regional actors.

This report provides an overview of Kenya's development trajectory, highlighting its leadership in technology and human development indicators alongside challenges related to infrastructure, corruption, and service access.