Institute for Peace and Security Studies

🚨 New Insight | May 16, 2026

In this week’s IPSS Insight, Dr. Mercy Fekadu Mulugeta, Director of the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, presents an excerpt from her recent book chapter, “Drone Discourse: Contemporary Technologies of Warfare in Ethiopia”.

In her Insight, “What to Expect in the Middle East: Lessons From the Horn on Drones and Warfare,” she examines the evolving role of drones in modern conflict and reflects on the broader lessons the Horn of Africa offers for understanding contemporary warfare.

Follow the link in the comment section below to read the full Insight.

🚨New Publication

IPSS’s latest Special Policy Report examines the structural drivers of electoral risk in Ethiopia, specifically scrutinizing the intersection of economic grievances, political inclusion, and regional security dynamics. As Ethiopia approaches its 1 June 2026 elections, the pre-election environment is navigating a fragile political landscape shaped by declining public trust and complex socio-economic pressures.

Amidst multifaceted shifts including recent macroeconomic restructuring, the implementation of new asset recovery and property tax laws, and evolving security dynamics concerning the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the trajectory toward the polls requires careful institutional navigation. In their report, "Ethiopia Towards the June 2026 Elections," Abraham Gelaw Esayas and Jesutimilehin O. Akamo analyze these intersecting vulnerabilities. They emphasize that mitigating instability risks and ensuring the credibility of the upcoming elections will depend on robust technical preparedness, transparent communication, and inclusive political processes.

🔗 Find the link to read and download the full publication in the comment section below.

📢 Join the second NCIRI Seminar Series event, co-hosted by the African Leadership Centre and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, together with partners from the ARUA-Guild CoRE on Interdisciplinary Peace.

This session, “Opting for Ultimate Higher Ground: African space strategies and military security”, will examine the growing interests, developments, and deployment of military space strategies and capabilities by African countries.

📅 Friday, 22 May 2026
🕚 11:00 AM (BST)

To attend, register by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer.

🚨New Publication

IPSS’s latest Policy Brief examines the intersection of election cycles and conflict mitigation, specifically scrutinizing early warning and action mechanisms. As an influential regional power, Nigeria is nearing a pivotal historical juncture that will challenge the African Union's dedication to the African Peace and Security Architecture and African Governance Architecture.

As Nigeria prepares for its January 2027 general elections, the emerging political trends represent a major test for the African Union’s governance and conflict prevention protocols. In his brief, "Nigeria’s Journey to the 2027 General Elections: The African Union’s Resolve Under Test, Again," Jesutimilehin O. Akamo analyzes these evolving pressures and advocates for a unified preventive diplomacy framework that respects the principle of subsidiarity.

🔗 Find the link to read and download the full publication in the comment section below.

In the IPSS Insight publication dated May 9, 2026 Cynthia Happi addresses the fundamental question, "Who does transitional justice truly serve?" Her analysis explores the delicate equilibrium between international standards and regional customs in post-conflict recovery. Drawing upon Dustin Sharp's scholarship and the specific case of Rwanda's Gacaca courts, Happi's reading response investigates the constraints associated with both centralized international mandates and isolated local programs.

Follow the link in the comment section below to read the full Insight on Substack.

🚨New Insight May 9, 2026

The latest IPSS Insight features reflections from Cynthia Happi, Managing Editor of the African Solutions Journal, regarding the core questions of transitional justice. In “Transitional Justice for Whom? A Reading Response,” Happi explores Dustin Sharp’s critiques of conventional methodologies, highlighting a necessary shift toward centering local communities and victims. The piece contends that for reconciliation to be truly effective, justice processes must transcend state-centric models in favor of more inclusive, community-led frameworks.

Follow the link in the comment section below to read the full Insight.

🚨New Insight May 2, 2026

In this week’s IPSS Insight, Jesutimilehin O. Akamo, Coordinator of the Research and Policy Analysis Unit, examines the unsustainable link between rising global consumption and environmental impact in “The Paradox We Overlook: Sustainable Consumption, The Environment, and You.”

The Insight draws on Yoruba traditions where communities lived within ecological limits, to underscore that sustainability requires restraint as much as innovation, highlighting how current consumption exceeds planetary limits and the need to reduce use and make more responsible choices.

Follow the link in the comment section below to read the full Insight.

📣IPSS is now on Substack!

Following the launch of its weekly, staff-led opinion series, the institute has made the pieces public on Substack in addition to its website.

Follow the link to subscribe to our publication: https://substack.com/

The Tana Forum Secretariat thanks the Chairperson of the Tana Forum Board, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, for hosting the Tana Secretariat and Members of the Board to a mini banquet.

🚨New Insight April 25,2026

In this week’s IPSS Insight, Researcher Maysoon Mukheir from our Research and Policy Analysis Unit sheds light on the impact the conflict in Sudan is having on the country’s young population. In her Insight, entitled “A Generation Interrupted: Youth Mental Health and Sudan’s Future,” she stresses the importance of mental health awareness and youth empowerment in building a renewed social contract that benefits the people of Sudan.

Follow the link in the comment section below to read the full Insight.

📣Announcement

IPSS is launching a weekly, staff-led opinion series that will bring fresh perspectives on issues relevant to peace and security. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our website and Substack for what's coming soon.