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Articles by Anton du Plessis
South Africa: Independent Prosecutors Are Vital to South Africa's Recovery
analysis By Anton Du Plessis and Martin SchönteichThe rule of law, the principle whereby everyone, including the rich and powerful, is subject to the law, is being challenged across the globe in unprecedented ways. In South Africa, the rule of law is in a state of crisis. Without the rule of law, a nation cannot tackle corruption.
Independent prosecutors are vital to South Africa’s recovery
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams (R) walks past his deputy Adv Nomgcobo Jiba as he leaves at the end of a media briefing in Pretoria, South Africa, May 23, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko Rule of law is the key to tackling corruption, but will Ramaphosa restore the National Prosecuting Authority? The rule of law, the principle whereby everyone, including the rich and powerful, is subject to the law, is being challenged across the globe in unprecedented ways.
Has snake fang evolution lost its bite? New insights from a structural mechanics viewpoint
Has snake fang evolution lost its bite? New insights from a structural mechanics viewpoint Chris Broeckhoven, Anton du Plessis Biol. Lett. 2017 13 20170293; DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2017.0293. Published 2 August 2017
Africa Can't Get Counter-Terrorism Wrong Again
analysis By Anton Du Plessis and Simon AllisonBy any measure, Africa's fight against terrorism has been a failure. Since it launched the fight in earnest nearly three decades ago in 1992, in the aftermath of a wave of violence from Islamist groups in Algeria, there has been a dramatic rise in incidents and fatalities perpetrated by militant groups. From 2009, for example, there has been a fourfold increase in the number of attacks by such groups, and an 850% increase in deaths.
The Seven Trends That Could Make Africa Stronger - Or Kill It If Badly Handled
THE trends shaping the future of peace and security in Africa, remain the same today, as they were in 2016: SURVEYING the current state of the peace and security landscape in Africa is a complex task. The drivers of conflict and violence include young populations, high unemployment, lack of equal opportunities, urbanisation, poverty, inequality, too many guns, and bad governance and corruption.
While you were sleeping: 25 October 2016
In politics, the only people who don't look to the future are those right at the top of the greasy pole. Everyone else is vying for position, thinking about how to get themselves there. Along the way, they make alliances, and hitch themselves to the wagons of those they think will move them up in the world. When wagons aren't available, they use tsunamis. The particular tsunami we are living through has picked up some interesting characters.
Op-Ed: There is another way out of South Africa’s ICC dilemma
South Africa’s concerns about the ICC are real, but withdrawing from the Court is not the only solution to the country’s dilemma. In fact, it could achieve far more from inside, rather than outside, the Rome Statute tent. By ANTON DU PLESSIS and SIMON ALLISON. As the South African government tells it, South Africa is caught in a legal trap with serious political implications.
Corruption robs fiscus and fuels radicalisation
Corruption is the most neglected human rights violation of our time. It fuels injustice, inequality and depravation and is a major catalyst for migration and terrorism. The social and political consequences of corruption rob nations of resources and potential, and drive inequality, resentment and radicalisation in Africa. Corruption stands in the way of successful cities, sustainable economies and safe societies. Corruption taps African governments’ fiscus to the tune of $50bn annually.
Corruption’s not a crime, it’s a human rights violation
Corruption is the most neglected human rights violation of our time. It fuels injustice, inequality and depravation, and is a major catalyst for migration and terrorism. In Africa, the social and political consequences of corruption rob nations of resources and potential, and drive inequality, resentment and radicalisation. Corruption cheats the continent’s governments of about $50-billion (about R700-billion) annually and stymies successful cities, sustainable economies and safe societies.
Op-ed: In counterterrorism, good evidence trumps bad instinct
Don’t let fear drive counterterrorism. History shows that short-term fight and flight responses don’t work, says ANTON DU PLESSIS of the Institute of Security Studies. We need fewer hawks and more advocates for social development, justice and human rights. Fear leads to bad policy and practice because it prompts basic human instincts of fight or flight. These may bring short-term relief, but are counterproductive in the long run.
Governments and business must do more to combat Africa's biggest threat
Ending corruption will require greater political will and ethical leadership than we have witnessed to date. (Gallo) The biggest threat to peace and development in Africa is not terrorism, drought, HIV/AIDS or malaria. Africa’s biggest threat is corruption. Corruption is also Africa’s biggest terror risk, and its biggest brake on development. It is arguably one of Africa’s biggest killers.
Violence derails development
Africa today has fewer conflicts than in the past, though violence continues to hold back development and generate significant costs to governments, business and societies. Preventing conflict and strengthening states has traditionally been the role of national governments, international organisations and NGOs. Business generally had a free pass. Sometimes it made things worse.
Africa: Poor Governance a Greater Threat Than Terror
Violence, terror and organised crime are the prominent new agenda items at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in Cape Town this week. Conflict and state fragility are now mainstream in talk about African development. They featured in Davos earlier this year; and economics - as WEF's raison d'être - is merging with security and politics like never before. Business used to consider human security only when it hit the bottom line.
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