On 23 June 2025 we said goodbye to Professor Jannie Malan—a founding pillar of ACCORD’s Research Department, a revered scholar of peace, and, above all, a deeply compassionate human being.
The effective implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in African peace operations requires strategic pragmatism. Rather than viewing militarisation as antithetical to gender equality, it can serve as an opportunity to embed gender sensitivity into the core of peace operations.
The United Nations (UN) and its peacekeeping missions are currently at critical crossroads. One structural obstacle with most UN transitions is the sidelining of African regional organizations.
Despite 30 years of democracy in South Africa, many municipalities still face challenges due to the legacy of apartheid, such as constrained transformation, social injustice, and persistent inequality, all of which undermine the effectiveness and legitimacy of local governance.
The erosion of the multilateral system risks further marginalising African countries, exposing them to bilateral power dynamics in which their structural vulnerabilities leave them at a severe disadvantage
Fifty years after ECOWAS’s establishment in 1975, its integration processes are at risk of unravelling
While much focus has been placed on the illicit flow of headline commodities like gold or oil, Sudan’s lesser-known exports of livestock and gum Arabic are quietly fuelling the war economy
The “Traoré Effect” highlights a deeper governance dilemma facing postcolonial states grappling with insecurity, economic stagnation, and popular frustration
This Year’s Peacekeeping Ministerial, Hosted by Germany Ahead of the UNSG’s Review on Peace Operations, Brought Together 45 Ministers, Key Experts and Various Regional Organisations
Many African Countries May Be Acceptable to Both Russia and Ukraine, Making It Likely That They Could Contribute Ceasefire Observers to a Monitoring Mission
Despite Over Two Decades of Development, the ASF Has Yet to Be Deployed in Any Mission, Highlighting Significant Challenges in Its Institutional and Operational Readiness
The IEC Recently Hosted a National Conference on Electronic Voting, Focusing on the Feasibility of Introducing E-voting in South Africa
Timely interventions are necessary to prevent instability, as well as peace and security risks. The nexus between governance, democracy, and peace and security is undeniable.
As African delegations prepare for the Berlin discussions, they can bring valuable perspectives informed by direct experience with peacekeeping operations across the continent.
A CoP offers a promising model to address challenges by fostering collaboration, shared learning, and collective problem solving among diverse peace and security actors.
As foreign diplomats, donors, and regional powers debated the country’s future, Sudanese civilians, civil society leaders, and representatives from both warring parties were notably absent.
Climate change is increasingly recognised as a critical threat to peace and security across Africa. Peace operations today face an expanding array of climate-induced operational challenges.
Will the new leadership propel the AU Commission towards meaningful progress, or will it remain hindered by old obstacles?