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, was designed to critically examine contemporary challenges and opportunities related to security, governance, and development in The Gambia. Since transitioning to a multiparty republic following the 2016 Presidential Elections, The Gambia has moved beyond the autocratic rule that lasted from 1994 to 2017. As one...
Blogs
Local Conflict, Global Impact: Lawfare in Warfare
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 the importance of international law in resolving conflicts and maintaining stability (jus ad pacem). However, the effects of lawfare extend beyond the battlefield, impacting humanitarian efforts, diplomatic relations, and the very foundations of international law. For instance, in the Russia’s war against Ukraine, international law has played a crucial role...
Articles
Malawianity: A Philosophy for Nation-building in Malawi
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 and private sectors. The prevalence of nepotism is traced from as way back as the colonial era through the one-party system of rule where leadership and development opportunities were arguably polarized. No one chooses to be born in the tribe, race, region, or such other...
Articles
Afrodiplomacy: Collective Continental Communiqué
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 colonialism and subjugation of the continent. The practice of training African diplomats in foreign institutions perpetuates colonial tutelage. However, African agency and Afropolitanism challenge the marginalization of Africans in the international system. Inspired by these progressive notions, this chapter advances a concept of Afrodiplomacy, which...
Articles
Winning the Anti-Corruption Battle in Africa
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 trigger of conflict on the continent. Traditional approaches to combating grand corruption through criminal prosecution has proven inadequate, as it is covertly perpetrated by affluent and influential elites motivated by greed and power, undermining anti-corruption efforts. To avoid impunity and protect public resources, this discussion...
Policy Papers
Oversight and Accountability to Improve Security Sector Governance in Africa
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 to return political power to civilians, the military juntas have repeatedly extended their timelines for political transition, exacerbating the economic strains on the citizenry. In Sudan, the unwillingness of the military to allow a democratic transition has resulted in an implosion of the security sector...
Monographs
Smart Operations: Rethinking Operational Art To Effectively Protect Civilians
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 against non-combatants in contemporary warfare. The principle of distinction is the sine qua non of protection of civilians. The rules of targeting lie at the heart of IHL, while the principle of distinction is the keystone in targeting guided by rules of engagement as the...
Blogs
Comprehensive Disaster Management in Malawi
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 (MDF), Malawi Police Service (MPS), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Local Government, and DoDMA and was facilitated by officials from MDF, DoDMA, United Nations, and International Independent Consultants. The Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) course focused on applying the military planning and decision-making process to...
Blogs
Corruption Proofing in Africa
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 to combat corruption (corruption proofing) should integrate an independent enforcement system, vigilant civil society, vibrant media, and political leadership. Utilising empirical evidence and a systems thinking approach, the contributors also uncover root causes of corruption and identify high-leverage interventions to prevent abuse of entrusted power...
Books
The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainable Peace and Security in Africa
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 landscape, including new actors, emerging threats, and the prospects for achieving sustainable peace. With contributions from highly respected experts in the field, both academics and practitioners, the volume unpacks the sources of conflict, instability and the challenges of peace and development, and provides research-based policy...