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31. Aims, Objectives and Activities of the Security Network Symposium

Author:
Rocklyn Williams
Publication Date:
07-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
This concept paper sets out the background, guiding framework and focus of the forthcoming 'Security Network Symposium' to be held in Maputo, Mozambique between 30 June and 1 July 2003. This document presents a general background to the challenges of peace, security and stability facing regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa and an overview of the existing African civil networks, as well as African networks in the security sector. The remaining sections, which form the main thrust of the paper, spell out the core objectives of the Maputo meeting, define the scope of security sector networks, prescribe the issues that require discussion, and propose a range of desirable outputs from the meeting.
Topic:
Security, International Organization, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Africa

32. Will HIPC Matter? The Debt Game and Donor Behaviour in Africa

Author:
Nancy Birdsall, Stijn Claessens, and Ishac Diwan
Publication Date:
05-2002
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
In this paper we focus on the question: will the HIPC debt reduction programme help in the transformation of the development assistance business and change the rules of the 'debt game' in Africa? We concentrate on the donor and official creditor side, by exploring how the growing debt of African countries, over the last two decades, has affected the provision of new resources by the donor community. Our results indicate that if debt levels are reduced sufficiently in high debt countries, donors can shift from the current pattern of non-selectivity and defensive lending to a low debt regime, a regime that has in the past allowed selectivity in lending in relation to levels of poverty and quality of policy.
Topic:
Development and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa

33. Making Debt Relief Conditionality Pro-Poor

Author:
Oliver Morrissey
Publication Date:
01-2002
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This paper considers how the conditionality inherent in HIPC debt relief should be constituted to promote pro-poor policies. There are two dimensions to this. First, the extent to which the policies proposed are pro-poor. Second, the potential for releasing resources for pro-poor expenditures. The paper provides an analytical framework to describe the policy environment for poverty reduction, and identifies where donor effort and influence are most likely to be effective. The paper argues that the elements of debt relief conditionality should be tailored to the features of the poverty-reduction policy environment and provides guidelines for the design of conditionality.
Topic:
Development and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa

34. Managing Security Challenges in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding

Author:
Sheila Coutts and Kelvin Ong
Publication Date:
06-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
International Peace Institute
Abstract:
While a functioning security sector provides the cornerstone for stable and democratic post-conflict societies, the record of the international community in establishing this critical function is mixed. Despite repeatedly having to manage the immediate post-conflict situation in various peace operations in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, the international community still fails to take the state of the local security sector adequately into account when planning its own intervention.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Human Rights, International Law, International Organization, Migration, and United Nations
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, Asia, and Latin America

35. IMF Structural Conditionality: How Much Is Too Much?

Author:
Morris Goldstein
Publication Date:
04-2001
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics
Abstract:
“...detailed conditionality (often including dozens of conditions) has burdened IMF programs in recent years and made such programs unwieldy, highly conflictive, time consuming to negotiate, and often ineffectual.” “The IMF should cease lending to countries for long-term development assistance (as in sub-Saharan Africa) and for long-term structural transformation (as in post-Communist transition economies)...The current practice of extending long-term loans in exchange for member countries' agreeing to conditions set by the IMF should end.”
Topic:
Economics, International Organization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Africa

36. No Future for SADC? Perspectives for Regional Integration in Southern Africa after the Mauritius Summit

Author:
Heribert Dieter and Henning Melber
Publication Date:
04-2000
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for Development and Peace
Abstract:
Regional integration in southern Africa, although frequently regarded as a useful and necessary project, seems to have come to a standstill since 1998. After South Africa had joined SADC in 1994, many observers had hoped that the integration project would be seeing rapid progress. When, in August 1996, SADC agreed on the establishment of a free trade area, many observers regarded this as an important step forward (cf. Gibb 1998, p. 303). However, the developments since 1996 are characterised by too few steps forward and too many back. We are witnessing a combination of economic decline and lack of responsible leadership in the region.
Topic:
International Cooperation and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa and South Africa

37. Reviewing U.S.-Nigeria Relations: New Links to Reinforce Democracy

Author:
Princeton Lyman and Linda Cotton
Publication Date:
03-2000
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Overseas Development Council
Abstract:
Emerging from 15 years of military rule, the Republic of Nigeria is struggling to build a stable, peaceful democratic nation from its 200 ethnic groups divided among 36 states. In May 1999, retired General Olusegun Obasanjo was elected President-a repeat performance of his earlier role as catalyst for democratic change. In 1979, Obasanjo presided over the only transition to civilian rule until now. His democratic instincts won him three years in jail under former President Sani Abacha's brutally repressive military regime.
Topic:
Environment, International Organization, and International Trade and Finance
Political Geography:
Africa, United States, and Nigeria

38. The Southern African Development Community: Regional Integration in Ferment

Author:
David Simon and Alexander Johnston
Publication Date:
12-1999
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Chatham House
Abstract:
Shortly before he became President of the 'new South Africa' in May 1994, Nelson Mandela stressed that his country's relations with the region's poorer and weaker neighbours would be characterized by 'sensitivity and restraint'. This declaration of intent was welcome given South Africa's traditional dominance as the hegemonic power during the apartheid era and the resulting crude and at times violent exploitation of its neighbours' dependence, in varying degree, on the Republic's economy for a wide range of goods and services, for transport links and a market for employment. Indeed, South Africa's accession to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in 1994 offered the promise of a new deal in regional relations, with the new member acting as an 'engine of growth' and as a cooperative and enthusiastic supporter of purposeful and sustained regional integration.
Topic:
Development, Economics, International Cooperation, and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa

39. Regional Burden-Sharing for Humanitarian Action

Author:
David O'Brien
Publication Date:
04-1999
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Center on International Cooperation
Abstract:
The emergence of an international humanitarian system, the codification of international humanitarian law and the corresponding creation of supportive organizations, is arguably one of the most welcomed forms of multilateralism in the 20th century. At the close of this century, billions of dollars are raised annually by the UN system to alleviate the suffering caused by natural disasters and war but this financial support is declining and increasingly unable to meet humanitarian needs. This declining resource base, along with a search to diversify sources of funding and the recognition that some emergencies receive adequate attention while others do not, raises question for the need for new burden-sharing arrangements.
Topic:
Conflict Resolution, Security, Development, Ethnic Conflict, International Cooperation, International Organization, and United Nations
Political Geography:
Africa