AFRICAN SECURITY ANALYSIS PROGRAMME (ASAP)
The Institute for Security Studies’ early warning and conflict analysis unit, the African Security Analysis Programme (ASAP) has been in existence since 1998, funded by the governments of Sweden and Switzerland. The programme commenced a new funding cycle and embarked upon a multi-year and expanded programme of activities in 2002, increasing the number of programme staff and its areas of focus. With six full time country and theme experts, one programme assistant and one research intern, ASAP uses an open-source and qualitative methodology with the aim of serving as an African and international reference source of timely in-depth analysis of threats to human security in Africa, in support of African and international conflict prevention, management and resolution activities. Under its current funding agreement, ASAP tracks, monitors and provides analysis and policy-options on a permanent and on-going basis on eleven Sub-Saharan African countries. At the heart of ASAP’s approach is the belief that early warning and conflict analysis must be regarded as more than just the provision and sharing of information, requiring formulation as well as adequate communication of analysis and policy options to relevant decision-makers.
