Advancing Public International Law In A Changing Global Landscape Of (De) Globalisation And (Re) Globalisation: A South African And Contemporary African Perspective

2025-07-16

The South African Yearbook of International Law (SAYIL) invites the submission of original manuscripts for its upcoming volume. SAYIL is a long-established peer-reviewed journal, recognised as a cornerstone of international law scholarship in South Africa for decades. The journal provides a dynamic platform for critical reflection and scholarly dialogue on contemporary issues in public international law, with a specific focus on South Africa’s role, responsibilities and engagement in the international legal order.

Theme and Scope

This year’s volume seeks to explore current and emerging issues in public international law and their relevance to South Africa, regionally and globally. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  1. South Africa’s international legal obligations and its approach to treaty ratification, implementation, and withdrawal
  2. International human rights law, including South Africa and Africa’s interaction with the African and UN human rights systems
  3. Climate change, environmental justice and international environmental law in the South African and African context
  4. International criminal law, including South Africa and Africa’s position on the ICC and its cooperation obligations
  5. International economic law, trade, international investment law and development: South Africa and Africa’s role in global economic governance
  6. Migration, refugees, and international humanitarian law: legal and policy challenges for South Africa and Africa
  7. The use of force, peace and security, and South Africa’s participation in regional and global peacekeeping
  8. Cybersecurity, digital rights, and data governance under international law. The role of Artificial intelligence in shaping democracy and the leveraging of algorithms in international law.
  9. The law of the sea and ocean governance in relation to South Africa and Africa’s blue economy
  10. Decolonisation and constitutionalisation of international law: South African and African contributions to critical international legal thought.
  11. Comparative analyses of how other jurisdictions approach key international law challenges, and what lessons South Africa can draw

 

Submission Categories

We welcome the following types of submissions:

  • Full-length research articles (6,000–10,000 words)
    • Commentaries and opinion pieces on key developments in public international law (2,000–4,000 words)
    • Case notes analysing recent international or South African judicial decisions with public international law implications (2,000–4,000 words)
    • Book reviews on recent or influential works in international law, especially those relevant to Africa and the Global South (1,000–2,000 words)
Target Contributors

This call is open to academics, practitioners, postgraduate researchers, and policy experts with an interest in public international law and its intersections with South African legal and political developments. We particularly encourage submissions that adopt comparative, interdisciplinary, and critical approaches.

Why Publish in SAYIL?
  • SAYIL is a well-established, peer-reviewed journal with a strong national and international reputation
    • It offers a unique platform for contributing to shaping South Africa’s voice in international legal discourse
    • Your work will reach an audience of international legal scholars, practitioners, and policymakers
    • Accepted articles are published in digital format, increasing accessibility and visibility
Submission Deadline:

20 September 2025

Submission Guidelines:

Manuscripts must be submitted in MS Word format, conforming to the journal’s house style (https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/SAYIL/about/submissions).

All submissions will undergo double-blind peer review.

Submissions:

Please send your submissions to our online platform https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/SAYIL/index

We look forward to receiving your contributions and building a strong, reflective, and forward-looking body of scholarship on public international law from a South African perspective.

Editorial Committee
South African Yearbook of International Law (SAYIL)