Commentaries
For Europe, Iran is more than the nuclear problem
EU diplomacy on Iran is one of its few successes, but it should look beyond the “nuclear issue”, with a special envoy and a delegation in Tehran.
Africa
As a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are seeing a renewed Global Powers competition and an increasingly acute energy crisis. These developments have put the African continent centre stage again in international relations. Understanding how political and security developments within Africa shape the continent, as well as its position on the international scene, is a core objective of the Africa Programme.
In line with this aim, we contribute to increased knowledge and shape policy debates on, and in, Africa by organising expert seminars and providing in-depth research on: military interventions and security collaborations; the politics of elections; peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts; the political economy of mining, and the development of women, peace and the security agenda, with a particular focus on the Great Lakes and the Sahel region.
Drawing on our own expertise, as well as a wide network of national and international research institutes, public authorities, and NGOs, makes the Africa Programme a central authority on matters related to Africa on a national, regional and global level.
Publications
Commentaries
Burkina Faso after Compaoré: Continuity through change?
This commentary discusses the events which led to the downfall of long-term President Blaise Compaoré in Burkina Faso and the military, political and socioeconomic challenges which lie ahead in stabilising […]
External publications
Analyzing the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on Congolese livelihoods
Written for the Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum’s DRC Affinity Group, “Analyzing the Impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on Congolese Livelihoods” presents a detailed study of how the Dodd-Frank Act in […]
Pathways of impact : How transitional justice affects democratic institution-building
This policy paper examines some common assumptions about how transitional justice contributes to democratic institution-building. It finds that transitional justice operates such an effect through delegitimation, reform, and empowerment – […]
The EU and its partners on development: how strategic on the ground?
Most of the EU’s strategic partnerships include dialogues on development, and in some cases commitments to collaboration. This policy brief examines whether such dialogue and commitments are reflected in EU-strategic […]
Commentaries
Congolese conflict minerals make unexpected victims
Over a few months, we have been working on de-mystifying the discourses on so-called “conflict minerals” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to constructively but critically assess the […]