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When do close ties between politicians and business people become problematic? 

Hamadziripi Tamukamoyo, Researcher, Governance, Crime and Justice Division, ISS Pretoria office

President Zuma’s statement that businesses which support the ANC will flourish has been described as a blatant promotion of corrupt relations. When do relationships between business people and politicians undermine democracy?

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African coastal piracy in 2013 - the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?

Timothy Walker, Consultant, Conflict Management and Peace Building Division, ISS Pretoria Office

Large-scale piracy off Somalia would appear to be on the wane, but what can we reasonably expect to be different in 2013, in East Africa and elsewhere?

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Annual Review of the Peace and Security Council 2012/2013

The Annual Review of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) raises and engages a number of questions relating to the AU PSC and its activities in 2012/2013. These questions include: What is the peace and security trend or outlook for Africa in 2012/2013? What are the peace and security challenges that Africa faced in 2012? What has been the response of Africa to these challenges through the PSC? What results have been and are being achieved from the response? What are the lessons to be learned from the work of the PSC in 2012? How does the PSC take decisions? Who are the role players in the decision-making processes of the PSC? Are there properly functioning mechanisms for effective interaction and interface between these various role players and the PSC? In addressing these questions, this annual review offers the PSC, its member states and the AU Commission, as well as other institutions working with the PSC, perspectives on and critical insights into the nature and extent of its contribution towards effectively addressing peace and security threats on the continent. The annual review also makes invaluable contributions towards improving the framework of working relationships, collaboration and coherent decision-making between the PSC and the AU Commission, RECs, the UN and the wider international community.

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