Peacekeeping and peacebuilding

13 Oct 2025 / by Emmaculate A Liaga & Tamrat Zeyede

AU’s Somalia peace mission cannot deliver on funding pledges alone

Without a predictable financing mechanism, the mission remains trapped in a cycle of insecurity, mounting arrears and political instability.

09 Sep 2025 / by Meressa K Dessu & Ibrahim Sanda Barrie

Was South Sudan a test for shaping US peace operations policy?

The UN mission’s mandate was eventually renewed, but concerns about a US retreat from peace support operations abound.

17 Jun 2025

ISS Live: Can Africa’s youth steer action on climate, peace and security?

African youth-led solutions must shape continental and global policy on these key issues.

17 Jun 2025

Can Africa’s youth steer action on climate, peace and security?

African youth-led solutions must shape continental and global policy on these key issues.

04 Jun 2025 / by Meressa K Dessu

Somalia’s stance on peace missions: interference or local ownership?

Threats to the independence of peace support missions call for clarity on their relationship with host countries.

22 May 2025 / by Dawit Yohannes

As the UN turns 80, is a new era of peacekeeping possible?

Despite significant headwinds, a recent UN ministerial meeting reflected broad backing for reformed peacekeeping.

07 May 2025 / by Paul-Simon Handy & Félicité Djilo

Global uncertainty calls for an overhaul of AU peace support operations

US and likely European funding cuts call for peacekeeping that is focused, fast and modest in its ambition.

09 Apr 2025

Unpacking the Pact for the Future and its implications for Africa

This report analyses how the UN's Pact for the Future can advance Africa's peace, security and development priorities through strategic multilateral cooperation.

20 Mar 2025 / by Paul-Simon Handy

Anatomy of SADC’s failure in eastern DRC

The premature withdrawal of SADC troops reveals deep-seated political problems and military capacity limitations.

10 Mar 2025 / by Edknowledge Mandikwaza

Can Zimbabwe’s Independent Complaints Commission win civil society over?

The new commission is a step in the right direction for security sector reform, but faces several tough challenges.

19 Feb 2025 / by Eugene Chen, Dawit Yohannes, Meressa K Dessu, Emmaculate A Liaga & Tsion Belay Alene

Demand-driven operations: a new approach to UN peacekeeping

The general crisis of confidence facing peace operations necessitates a shift from rigid models to context-specific approaches.

19 Feb 2025 / by Tamrat Zeyede, Dawit Yohannes, Meressa Kahsu, Tsion Belay Alene & Emmaculate A Liaga

Funding for Somalia’s new AU peace mission hangs in the balance

With delays in activating a new UN-AU cost-sharing mechanism, both organisations must now re-double their efforts to secure funds.