April 13
Africa: How War Weaponises Environmental Destruction and the Case for Legal Accountability
This is the second article examining the environmental cost of modern warfare. The first article in the series explored war as a powerful, compressed engine of pollution. Here we… Read more »
March 17
South Africa: How the SANDF's Crime-Fighting Role Could Threaten State Legitimacy
The deployment of the SANDF to fight crime is a recipe for disaster and is likely to -- in a very public manner -- undermine the state's legitimate right to use violence. Read more »
March 04
South Africa: SAPS Failure to Fight Crime Is Shameful, Say MPs As Army Deployment Nears
Parliament has heard that the SANDF deployment to fight gangsterism and illegal mining will last one year, but MPs lamented that the police had failed so badly that the army needed… Read more »
February 17
South Africa: Gangs Are a Symptom of a Disease the Army Is Unqualified to Treat
Sending soldiers into the Cape Flats is like putting a plaster on a gunshot wound. Every time the crisis becomes too visible to ignore, the state reaches for the same blunt… Read more »
South Africa: Joy in Eastern Cape As Ramaphosa Extends SANDF Deployment
The army will be deployed to fight gangsterism in the Western Cape and illegal mining in Gauteng within 10 days, said acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia. He also added a new… Read more »
February 16
South Africa: Ramaphosa's Decision to Deploy the SANDF Is Deeply Flawed. Here's Why
President Ramaphosa's deployment of the SANDF against gangsterism overlooks critical issues, revealing the military's struggle against neglect and underfunding while failing to… Read more »
January 28
South Africa: SANDF's Apparent Impunity Demands Immediate Action From Ramaphosa
Members of the SANDF appear to believe they are above the law, which raises questions about whether President Cyril Ramaphosa has proper control of our armed forces. Read more »
January 18
South Africa: Ramaphosa Should Fire Motshekga and All of SANDF Top Brass for Iran Fiasco, Say Experts
Military experts urge President Ramaphosa to dismiss Defence Minister Motshekga and SANDF leaders for failing to enforce his order to withdraw Iranian warships during joint… Read more »
January 16
South Africa: Motshekga Orders Inquiry Into Why Ramaphosa's Orders to Withdraw Iranian Warships From Exercise Weren't Obeyed
Defence minister said the president's orders were 'clearly communicated to all parties'. Read more »
January 15
South Africa: US Embassy in Pretoria Criticises Iran's Participation in Naval Drill Off Simon's Town
The US embassy has condemned the South African military for allegedly defying presidential orders by allowing Iran to join naval exercises in False Bay. Labelling Iran a 'state… Read more »
January 14
South Africa: SANDF Apparently Defied Presidential Orders to Remove Iran From a Joint Naval Exercise
Three Iranian navy ships remain in False Bay -- and one participated in exercise Will for Peace, according to the SANDF. Read more »
January 12
South Africa: Iran Pulls Out of Joint Naval Exercise Amid Political Tensions
Iran has three warships waiting in False Bay, but they will not join South Africa, China, Russia and the UAE in the naval exercise Will for Peace. Read more »
December 21, 2025
South Africa: Bekkersdal Mass Shooting - Motive Unknown After 9 Killed, Municipality Urges Army Deployment
Fewer than three weeks after a mass shooting at a tavern in Gauteng, another attack in the province, this time in Bekkersdal, has left nine people dead. Read more »
August 27, 2025
Mali: Russia's Wagner Mercenary Group Has Failed in Mali, Says the Sentry
A major investigation has found that the mercenary 'private security' company has failed to accomplish its mission of defeating jihadists and separatists in the West African… Read more »
August 26, 2025
South Africa: Suspected Hitman of State Prosecutor Makes Court Appearance Amid Tight Security
Heavily armed police kept a watchful eye over court proceedings as a man suspected of murdering state prosecutor Tracy Brown made a brief court appearance on Monday. Read more »
August 13, 2025
South Africa: Ministers Slam SANDF Chief for His Remarks About Solidarity With Iran
The ministries of International Relations and Cooperation and of Defence have dissociated the government from SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya's remarks expressing solidarity with… Read more »
August 03, 2025
South Africa: Two Appear in Court After 30 Illegal Firearms Seized En Route to Cape Town
Two suspects arrested with unlicensed 9mm firearms have been charged with multiple counts, including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of drugs (khat),… Read more »
August 15, 2012
Africa: Standing By to Standby - the African Peacekeeping Force With More Problems Than Solutions
The African Standby Force is a beautiful concept. The crack troops were meant to be the silver bullet for Africa's security problems, a rapid-response team able to get in and stop… Read more »
