The Gaddafi regime crumbled much earlier than expected. The rebels have controlled the capital, Tripoli, and have continued their push towards the final strong hold of the Gaddafi loyalists and his birth place of Sirte. While securing law and order is the immediate challenge facing Libya under the NTC leadership, the country also faces other longer term and more structural challenges. The first of these challenges is to successfully establish an all-inclusive and legitimate transitional government that is representative of all Libyans. The analysis on the developments in Libya critically examines the peace and security challenges in the post-Gaddafi period and possible role by the African Union and the Peace and Security Council.

The trial of Mubarak, his sons and other top officials of his regime, has undoubtedly opened a new chapter in the political history of Egypt. However, there is still a growing feeling that the revolution has been hijacked. The division between the youth protestors and the army has degenerated into public confrontations. The political sphere has also witnessed multiple divisions, and rivalry has emerged as the gaps between Islamists and liberals deepen. Elections are scheduled for November 2011 and the analysis sheds light on the different actors within Egyptian politics and the fears and frustrations of the Egyptian youth and public in their pursuit of democracy. Possible entry points for the AU PSC are also identified.

The assassination attempt on the life of the Guinean President, Alpha Conde​, on 18 July 2011 has demonstrated that democracy and peace require much more than elections. The incident warned of the challenges lying ahead to consolidate democracy in the West African nation. The article on Guinea looks into the internal dynamics of the Guinean political and security sphere and recommends ways in which the AU can support the transitional democracy.

Following fuel shortages and price hikes, Malawi witnessed violent demonstrations in mid-July, resulting in the deaths of nineteen protestors. The analysis on Malawi focuses on the political and economic factors that triggered the protests.

At its 285th meeting on 13 July 2011, the PSC was briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security and deliberated on the drought situation in Somalia and its humanitarian consequences. A retrospective article on the Drought in the Horn of African and the AU`s response is also included in this report.

This report is by the Institute for Security Studies