IISS research work on African security looks at the many challenges facing African countries, including conflicts spurred by endemic poverty, competition for natural resources and food security, the spread of religious fundamentalism and ethnic violence, as well as obstacles to reintegrating former rebels into new and often unstable governments. Issues such as corruption, Africa’s development potential and role as a trading partner, and the importance of good governance have also been highlighted in the Institute’s series of Oppenheimer lectures which have been given by speakers including President Paul Kagame of Rwanda annd Liberian President Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf.
