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International interventions have become more confident since the end of the cold war due to, first, humanitarian efforts and, second, the international terrorist threat as perceived since 11 September 2001. In this context, 'weak states' are the objects of increasing international interventions, all of which propose the same ambitious objectives: 'peace, democracy, and state reconstruction'. As applied to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this aid kit has demonstrated its ambiguous qualities, its weaknesses, and its fragility, which are reviewed in this article.(Polit afr/DÜI)

Since the abortive coup in October 1993, Burundi has been in a severe crisis, however, lately reaching a more hopeful situation. The international community has made substantial efforts at preventing the escalation of the conflict and at contributing to a process for sustainable peace in the country. This includes the UN system, bilateral countries and in particular the neighbouring states. A number of NGOs have been among the actors. Here the efforts of some major NGOs lending their support to Burundi's peace process are discussed both as regards their support for peace building and for support to peace mediation. The aim has been to assess their performance based on their aims and objectives in relation to respective NGO's overall reasons for coming to Burundi in the first place, as well as their wider aims. Efforts are made to find common denominators and possible conclusions and recommendations useful for others involved in similar activities in Burundi and elsewhere. (Afr Dev/DÜI)

The British intervention in Sierra Leone has been accompanied by a 'reform of the security sector' (RSS): the rehauling of the army, the police and the judiciary. The RSS corresponds to a specific doctrinal development and bears witness to the British willingness to make a long-term investment in the country's stability. The 'novelty' of this engagement is mitigated by the fact that in its modalities, the RSS shares many features of the 'anti-politics machine' analysed by James Ferguson. (Polit afr/DÜI)

When the African National Congress came to power in 1994, many expected that the new government would reform its policies with respect to the rest of the continent, placing the accent on human rights. Ten years later, the results are inconclusive. This article examines the reasons behind this observation and shows how South Africa has developed a pragmatic foreign policy, and analyses the implementation by the government of a policy of 'soft power' and the durability of such a role within Africa. (Polit afr/DÜI)