The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of The Gambia, and the Centre for Research and Policy Development (CRPD), organised a Research Policy Seminar on the theme ‘Peace and Prosperity in The Gambia: Problems and Prospects.’ This solution-oriented seminar convened policymakers, practitioners, academics, and civil society representatives,...
In today’s interconnected world, lawfare has become a significant tool in warfare, where local conflicts can lead to profound global consequences. As military actions increasingly intertwine with legal strategies, states leverage international law to gain legitimacy, undermine their opponents, and shape public opinion. This complex interplay illustrates how local disputes can escalate into broader geopolitical issues. A rules based international order highlights...
It is a well-known fact that Malawi is still a bitterly divided country even though unity is one of the country’s guiding principles. The disunity has glaringly manifested not only in the voting patterns along regional and tribal lines during the presidential elections; but also through deep-rooted nepotism, which is commonplace in employment in public...
The conduct foreign policy behavior of African states has been affected by the continent’s post-colonial consciousness, perceptions, identities, and other existential facts. African states have largely been regarded as spectators and not actors in the international system. Yet, diplomacy has its ancient roots on the continent. The traditional diplomatic practices of Africans were obscured by...
Africa’s consistent economic growth has been accompanied by steadily increased political or grand corruption across the continent. This pervasive corruption presents a significant obstacle to achieving peace, security, and development in Africa, as it exacerbates inequalities and hampers access to public service. Grand corruption, often perpetrated by political elites, also fuels greed and grievance, a...
A lack of strong security sector oversight institutions in Africa has hampered efforts to improve military professionalism, enabled corrupt officials, and hobbled defense and security forces on the continent. Nine military coups d’état in seven countries since 2020 underscore the continued politicization and lack of professionalism plaguing certain defense forces. In each case, despite pledging...
The changing nature of armed conflict, where most of the victims are civilians accompanied by the devastation of civilian objects, requires rethinking the elements of operational art, which are adversary-centric at the expense of noncombatants who are ubiquitous in present-day battlefields. Respect for, and compliance with, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a panacea to violations...
Background The National Defence College (NDC) in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) with funding from the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) organised the inaugural Comprehensive Disaster Management Course from 8 to 10 November 2023 at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.[1] The Course had 70 Participants from the Malawi Defence Force...
This book outlines evidence-based and data-driven strategies for combating grand corruption in Africa. Although the causes of corruption vary from country to country, this book suggests that corruption in Africa is often a direct consequence of poorly conceived legislation, policies, and institutional loopholes. The authors in this solution-oriented book converge in arguing that effective strategies...
This handbook takes stock of the African Union’s Vision 2020 to rid the African continent of wars, civil conflicts, human rights violations, and humanitarian disasters – including violent conflicts and genocide – and provides recommendations on how to address contemporary threats to peace and security in Africa. It explores the continent’s current peace and security...
