ISS, Institute for Security Studies
Supportive families are pivotal to preventing violent extremism
15th June 2023 In 2021, around 180-million children lived in conflict zones in Africa – the highest number of all regions globally. And the World Health... →
South Africa does have the means to reduce violence
13th June 2023 In May, police minister Bheki Cele praised the South African Police Service’ (SAPS) ‘more boots on the ground’ approach to fighting crime. His... →
Civilian-state security cooperation in Benin and Togo: a double-edged sword
12th June 2023 Attacks by violent extremists in Benin and Togo are rising. Since the first incidents in 2019 in Benin and 2021 in Togo, insurgents’ tactics have... →
Sierra Leone at a crossroads ahead of June 2023 polls
9th June 2023 Sierra Leoneans head to the polls on 24 June to elect a new president, parliamentarians, mayors and local councillors. This will be the fifth... →
Is the blue economy a route to stronger AU-EU ties?
8th June 2023 World Oceans Day on 8 June is an opportunity to reflect on the ocean's vital role in sustainable development, food security and climate change... →
Is South Africa’s defence force up for new thinking?
7th June 2023 Among a flurry of references to ambitions and planning processes, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise’s recent budget speech... →
Loss and damage funding vital after DRC and Rwanda floods
5th June 2023 In May, torrential rains caused flooding and landslides that killed hundreds of people and washed away entire villages in the Democratic Republic... →
Police corruption should be a focus in tackling stock theft
1st June 2023 Alleged police involvement in stock theft is leading to authorities’ failure to effectively investigate incidents and contribute to rural safety in... →
The leadership we deserve
31st May 2023 It is now undeniable. The crisis of leadership in South African politics, academia, business and civil society is a failure we shoulder... →
Nigeria should engage China for AfCFTA success
30th May 2023 Nigeria is a state party to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement but was among the last of 54 countries to sign due to... →
Could this round of debt dialogue push Zimbabwe to reform?
29th May 2023 Zimbabwe is once again trying to engage its creditors Bretton Woods institutions and the Paris Club, in negotiating a reprieve around its debt... →
Back to square one: political infighting again stalls Lesotho reforms
26th May 2023 Last week Lesotho’s government imposed a nationwide curfew after the murder of courageous investigative journalist Ralikonelo Joki and the rising... →
SA foreign policy must balance constitutional values and national interest
25th May 2023 South Africa’s foreign policy seems rife with confusion and lack of principle. Capacity in the Department of International Relations and... →
Could UN funding for AU peace missions become the norm?
24th May 2023 The African Union (AU) and its regional economic communities have deployed about 27 peace support operations in Africa since the 2000s. These... →
Wheels come off South Africa’s hollow version of non-alignment
23rd May 2023 Following United States (US) Ambassador Reuben Brigety’s accusations that South Africa supplied arms to Russia, attention has rightfully focused on... →
Syndicates launder stolen US Covid-19 funds in Kenya
18th May 2023 In February 2022, the United States (US) government uncovered money laundering syndicates involved in stealing Covid-19 relief funds from the US... →
Climate disaster is reshaping the world – can Africa make its mark?
17th May 2023 The World Economic Forum says the ‘cost of living crisis’ is the single largest threat to the global economy this year. Against this backdrop, the... →
Functional borders could be lifesaving for Sudan’s refugees
17th May 2023 Porous borders are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where fighting continues to rage between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid... →
South Africa’s dangerous game of Russian roulette
15th May 2023 The bombshell conference by United States (US) Ambassador Reuben Brigety on 11 May triggered a diplomatic spat between Washington and Pretoria. The... →
Ethiopia’s informal currency exchanges: validate or veto?
12th May 2023 Ethiopia’s foreign currency deficit has led to a thriving black market exchange, fuelling already-problematic illicit financial flows in the... →
Women step up to the transition in Mali
10th May 2023 Activist Rokia Doumbia made headlines in Mali on 13 March when she was arrested for posting a TikTok video denouncing high inflation levels and... →
Western Cape a beacon of hope for SA violence prevention
10th May 2023 This year’s State of the Province Address by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde heralded an important step forward for support to parents and... →
Sudan’s war poses grave risks for Chad and CAR
9th May 2023 Opponents in Sudan’s deadly clashes seem determined to continue fighting despite repeated calls from neighbouring countries, the African Union and... →
Pretoria once again on the horns of an ICC dilemma
8th May 2023 Just as South Africa was done rescinding its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the saga of former Sudanese president Omar... →
Chad two years later: little progress, plenty to worry about
5th May 2023 April 2023 marked two years of transition in Chad. Initiated after the death of president Idriss Déby Itno, the process was primarily aimed at... →
Stopping the spread of Sudan’s bloodshed
3rd May 2023 The United Nations (UN) warns that Sudan’s bloody conflict could soon seep through the country’s borders and spread. Its Secretary-General António... →
GERD is a fait accompli, so it’s time to get real
2nd May 2023 With the fourth annual filling looming in June and construction about 90% complete, the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and... →
Could FDI be Rwanda’s lifeline as donors pull the plug?
28th April 2023 Rwanda has received significant support from international donor agencies to rebuild its economy since the 1994 genocide. With over US$1-billion a... →
Only fair elections can give Guinea-Bissau a chance for stability
26th April 2023 Guinea-Bissau’s legislative elections scheduled for 4 June will have significant implications for achieving political stability in the country.... →
Time to re-assess terrorism prevention in Africa?
25th April 2023 This year’s Global Terrorism Index reveals that 60% of deaths attributed to violent extremist groups in 2022 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.... →
Sudan’s military rivals fight to the death over the spoils
21st April 2023 The explosion of violence in Sudan this week has derailed the country’s troubled post-Omar al-Bashir transition from military rule to democratic... →
Multiple murders: a mark of SA’s gun and organised crime crisis
20th April 2023 Early Sunday morning, 10 July 2022, gunmen entered Mdlalose tavern in Nonzamo informal settlement in Soweto, South Africa, and opened fire with... →
How the Ukraine war ends, and implications for Africa
19th April 2023 The war in Ukraine and the related intensified competition between the United States (US) and China loom over every international relations... →
Insecurity grows in Cameroon as reintegration efforts stall
17th April 2023 Former Boko Haram fighters and members who return to communities in Cameroon pose a significant security threat to civilians. The lack of effective... →
Kamala Harris joins the pilgrimage to Africa
14th April 2023 As Russia’s war against Ukraine drags on, so international interest in Africa seems to increase – certainly from the United States (US). That is a... →
Africa and summit diplomacy: global powers turn on the charm
13th April 2023 The upcoming Russia-Africa Summit in July is the latest in a long list of gatherings by global powers aimed at ‘winning friends and influencing... →
Guinea’s junta takes a hard line against illicit medicine
11th April 2023 Guinea’s military authorities are trying to end the illicit trade in prescription medicines. The country is a hotspot for pharmaceutical... →
Is Niger’s counter-terrorism approach an exception in the Sahel?
5th April 2023 On 10 February, Niger suffered one of its deadliest attacks when gunmen with suspected links to violent extremist groups ambushed a military convoy... →
Nigeria’s youth take centre stage in the 2023 polls
4th April 2023 Nigeria’s youth were seen and heard throughout the February 2023 general elections, both online and on the ground. Almost 40% of Nigerians are... →
Cabo Delgado: two years since the Palma invasion
4th April 2023 For nearly two years, Mozambique resisted the call for foreign military intervention in Cabo Delgado to help fight the insurgency that started in... →
Is Cyclone Freddy’s record-breaking devastation the new normal?
30th March 2023 Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which struck Southern Africa between February and March, broke multiple records for both power and duration. Running for... →
