ISS, Institute for Security Studies
Somalia’s stance on peace missions: interference or local ownership?
5th June 2025 Threats to the independence of peace support missions call for clarity on their relationship with host countries. The Federal Government of Somalia... →
Drones: a propaganda tool for Africa’s armed groups?
3rd June 2025 Ukraine’s recent drone attack on Russia shows how potent weaponised UAS can be, both on and off the battlefield. Africa is experiencing a rapidly... →
Political agreements alone won’t heal Sierra Leone’s social divide
2nd June 2025 Constitutional and legal reforms are needed to address divisions rooted in the over-centralisation of power and resources. Despite a veneer of... →
Can Mauritania avoid another fruitless dialogue?
30th May 2025 Without guarantees, President Ghazouani’s dialogue – the country’s sixth – could widen the political divisions that threaten stability. On 27... →
Trust deficit threatens Guinea’s peaceful return to civilian rule
30th May 2025 Despite some progress, consensus on the electoral process and the expansion of democratic freedoms remains crucial. Since the military coup that... →
Is South Africa’s crime problem turning around?
29th May 2025 New official statistics showing decreased violent crime should provide the impetus for expanding holistic violence prevention strategies. South... →
Ramaphosa’s diplomatic dance with Trump: success or failure?
28th May 2025 Between the firefighting and fireworks, South Africa’s delegation did just enough to meet its strategic objectives. The recent meeting between... →
Violent crime and the myth of South Africa’s ‘white genocide’
26th May 2025 Murder and armed robbery affect everyone living in South Africa – to say otherwise suggests a worrying ideological agenda. The lie of a ‘genocide’... →
Will security operations halt Kenya-Ethiopia cross-border crimes?
23rd May 2025 Kenya’s police have achieved some positive results, but lasting solutions require ongoing cooperation between the two countries. In February,... →
As the UN turns 80, is a new era of peacekeeping possible?
22nd May 2025 Despite significant headwinds, a recent UN ministerial meeting reflected broad backing for reformed peacekeeping. With the future of... →
NATO and the G7: global power fractures that Africa must watch
22nd May 2025 Geopolitical shifts in the Western alliance could considerably impact Africa’s fortunes. Two major summits in June could expedite one of the most... →
Can Realpolitik drive renewed regional cooperation in West Africa?
20th May 2025 The AES-ECOWAS split has sparked pragmatic cooperation based on strategic interests between neighbouring countries. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger’s... →
New Africa Brics members decry preferential treatment for South Africa
19th May 2025 Egypt and Ethiopia blocked a Brics declaration backing South Africa for a United Nations Security Council seat. Brics is expanding – but perhaps... →
Mali’s transition is at risk as political parties are dissolved
19th May 2025 Political party bans by military authorities in Burkina Faso and Niger have met little resistance, but in Mali they ignited defiance. On 13 May,... →
SA’s next prosecution head: how to ensure a sound appointment
15th May 2025 Although Shamila Batohi’s selection followed a more participatory route, the process remains opaque and centralised in the Presidency. With... →
Ethiopia’s national dialogue and transitional justice: competition or complementarity?
14th May 2025 The dual peacebuilding processes are equally important – and can run simultaneously through coordination and sequencing. As Ethiopia navigates its... →
African solutions have not solved the Great Lakes problems
13th May 2025 Ineffective African interventions in the region have opened the door to more assertive external actors. After months of diplomatic impasse and... →
Will the Chambishi spill affect Zambia’s ‘all-weather friendship’ with China?
13th May 2025 Sino Metals’ pollution of the Kafue River presents an opportunity to forge a more environmentally sustainable partnership. When a toxic waste... →
Samia Suluhu Hassan drops the pretence of reform
9th May 2025 Ahead of the October elections, Tanzania’s president is retreating from democracy – along with the rest of the East African region. Democracy is in... →
A hopeful Gabon looks to the future
8th May 2025 Gabonese voters have given President Nguema a strong mandate to break with the country’s past and steer economic and political renewal. Nineteen... →
Global uncertainty calls for an overhaul of AU peace support operations
8th May 2025 US and likely European funding cuts call for peacekeeping that is focused, fast and modest in its ambition. The United States (US) intends to... →
Landmark ruling enables justice for SA’s apartheid-era crimes
6th May 2025 The country is preparing for its first crimes against humanity case, reigniting hope for victims and their families. This April, a South African... →
Post-war Liberia still struggles with corruption and impunity
5th May 2025 Corruption was a cause of Liberia’s 14-year civil war and triggered the current political crisis that threatens the country’s stability. On 23... →
Conflict-related sexual violence: a threat to Africa’s peace and security
2nd May 2025 African leaders must commit to ending the violence, which requires focusing attention on justice reform and survivor-led interventions. On 27... →
The window to salvage South Sudan’s peace process is closing fast
30th April 2025 As a guarantor of the peace agreement, the African Union must urgently take action to de-escalate political tensions. On 26 March, security... →
Algeria-AES diplomatic crisis calls for swift African Union mediation
29th April 2025 The latest tensions are a wake-up call for the AU, which has lost influence in the Sahel-Saharan region. The current diplomatic crisis between... →
Challenges facing the latest truce between Kinshasa and M23
29th April 2025 Dynamics on the ground in eastern DRC and the country’s capital will test Qatar’s mediation efforts. On 23 April, delegations from Kinshasa and... →
In Burkina Faso, Traoré’s legacy could extend beyond popularity and promises
25th April 2025 The challenge will be translating the country’s rich mineral resources and promising economy into stability and development. At 36, Burkina Faso’s... →
Could anchor states benefit Africa’s Peace and Security Council?
25th April 2025 Recent PSC elections revived debates about whether membership should favour inclusion and fairness or regional capacity and influence. The African... →
Women, illicit activities and terrorism: what are the risks for West Africa?
17th April 2025 Understanding women’s role in illicit activities is key to reducing their likelihood of becoming associated with violent extremists. Women’s... →
AI and Africa’s ‘counterfeit’ journalists
16th April 2025 AI technology is ‘shooting the messenger’ by impersonating professional journalists to gain credibility for false narratives. Not long ago,... →
New AU leaders must articulate a bold vision for Africa’s peace operations
15th April 2025 A clear vision for peace operations should redefine the complementary roles of the AU and the UN. In his election campaigns for the African Union’s... →
Balancing economics and security on the Nigeria-Cameroon border
14th April 2025 The two countries must cooperate to stop Boko Haram from taking advantage of open borders to revive their operations. On 27 January, the governors... →
Could Africa still be hard hit by Trump’s tariff tantrum?
14th April 2025 If they are imposed, Trump’s blizzard of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs will hit AGOA beneficiaries more than most. Africa is being hit by one disaster after... →
Ethiopia’s Transitional Justice Special Bench – more than just a criminal tribunal
10th April 2025 The Special Bench should have jurisdiction over a broader range of disputes – not merely function as a criminal tribunal. Following an... →
Demographics not poor governance explain Africa’s slow development
8th April 2025 Until dependency ratios shift, Africa’s large youthful population will remain the continent’s biggest barrier to growth. Africa’s disappointing... →
Is the loss of aid an opportunity for Africa?
4th April 2025 US and EU aid cuts could prompt Africa to end its dependency, but the task for poor countries will be especially difficult. United States (US)... →
Grave risks for Cameroon as soldiers desert to fight in Ukraine
3rd April 2025 Cameroon faces a multitude of security threats and cannot afford to lose its soldiers to the Russia-Ukraine war. The desertion of soldiers to fight... →
William Ruto – from hustler to dealmaker?
2nd April 2025 As the 2027 elections loom closer, three grand bargains will determine the president’s political future. Nearly three years into his presidency,... →
Can West African nations come together to stop terrorism spreading?
1st April 2025 Mistrust between AES and ECOWAS countries must be overcome to enable intelligence sharing and security cooperation. On 8 January, members of the... →
Is Zimbabwe facing another November 2017?
31st March 2025 Mnangagwa looks beyond his second term, prompting war veterans backing Vice-President Chiwenga to threaten an ‘uprising’ on 31 March. Tensions are... →
