Conflict Resolution In Africa Research Articles

Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Pathway to Sustainable Peace in Nigeria

This study delved into the traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution in Africa; A pathway to sustainable peace in Nigeria. It deployed the qualitative method of data collection and content analysis. The work was adopted as a tool for analysis of the Peace Process theory propounded by John Darby and Roger Macunity. It ascertained that disputes or disagreements are unarguably and necessarily an inevitable part of human existence flowing directly from communication, interaction and relationships which can occur at individual, national and even international levels. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism is a basket of procedures outside the traditional process of litigation or strict determination of legal rights. It may also be elucidated as a range of procedures that serve as generally involve the intercession and assistance of a neutral and impartial third party. The traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution in Africa are alien to the Western world, this paper is of utmost importance to the Western world and also enriched their pool of literature. Nigeria is a country that is dominated by various ethnic groups anchored on diverse cultures, customs and traditions. It is therefore not surprising to see conflicts arise and despite the various attempts at resolving these conflicts through litigation, it remained unabated. The paper investigated the lessons learned from Traditional Mechanisms of Conflict resolution, it also interrogated its impact on conflict resolution and the way forward. In light of the lessons that were learnt and the impact of the traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution; suggestions on how to attain sustainable peaceful society were proffered. In conclusion, the study crystallized reforms on the alternative dispute resolution introduced through the traditional mechanism which includes amongst others that constitutional recognition should be given to traditional institutions of conflict resolution to enable quick dispensation of matters.

A Review of Traditional Methods of Conflict Resolution from a Nigerian-African-Perspective

Westernisation and globalization have almost eroded this culture and left in their trail an alien culture of conflict resolution which, in most cases, is at variance with our African ethics and cultural values. The replacement of our grand African methods of conflict resolution with the European methods of conflict resolution has particularly done harm rather than good to our group cohesion as one Nigeria, and generally to our group cohesion as Africans. There is doubtless the fact that an alien culture of conflict resolution on an African soil necessarily undermines our history as one black people, our philosophy as a communal entity and our belief that peace and unity of the collective supersedes the selfish interests of a select few who seek to benefit from conflict. Our history of ethnic clashes, insurgencies and the rise of crime in our African societies attest to the fact that in matters of conflict resolution, Nigerians and indeed Africans have employed the wrong methods, bereft of our African spirit of unity and peace in preference to unrests, upheavals and wars. It is against this backdrop that this paper explored our traditional methods of conflict resolution and made recommendations. In doing this, the paper looked at what conflict is, causes of conflict in Africa, principles of conflict resolution, methods of conflict resolution by the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, the use of proverbs rhetoric and folklores in conflict resolution and common methods of conflict resolution in Africa. The paper concluded the discourse with a summary and made some recommendations on the way forward.

UN Peacekeeping in Africa: Nature, Scope and Development

The hybrid nature and scope of contemporary conflicts, the terrorism threat, and the dramatic increase in competition for resources, global militarization and security challenges in Africa do not only carry the risk of state collapse, but have conditioned concerted efforts by national, regional and international actors to protect human rights and remedy the humanitarian situation. In many ways, the African continent with its unique and diverse nature of conflicts has become a platform for the renewal of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping through the development of new operational and normative practices and strategies that, as a distinctive feature of the UN missions in the African continent, have gradually moved from the status of innovations to the category of quite commonplace global practice. This article attempts to assess UN peacekeeping in Africa from the 1960s till 2022. The authors examine the characteristics, nature and scope of peacekeeping operations (PKOs) as well as strategies for transforming peacekeeping mandates. Using a problem-chronological approach, comparative analysis and quantitative assessments of the UN peacekeeping missions, the formats of cooperation with regional organizations (the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)), gender composition of the UN missions, in particular, the authors come to the natural conclusion that the number of the UN peacekeeping operations and political missions in Africa remains high and their mandates have expanded and become more complex with increased activity of the leading world powers. The authors conclude that stabilization and conflict resolution in Africa will greatly depend on effective cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, as well as on the UN reforms and its ability to adapt rapidly to changing conflict scenarios in each African state.

Folklore as a Vehicle for Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Case Study of Côte d’Ivoire

This paper examines l’Arbre à Palabre (AP)—Under the Palaver Tree, an Ivorian peacebuilding mechanism in contemporary conflict resolution. I argue that contextual and local understanding of armed conflicts before designing conflict resolution mechanisms is critical for peacebuilding because of the peculiarities of every post-conflict society. The mechanisms are geographically limited and culturally distinct but ontologically homogeneous across many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. I demonstrate that while liberal peacebuilding has its problems on the continent, African mechanisms are not immune because of the dynamics of modern conflicts, therefore the latter needs innovative approaches that transcend ethnic borders to meet contemporary challenges.

Youth and Peacebuilding: Policy Implications of Conflict Resolution in Africa

Promoting sustainable peace is a major concern for world regions, especially one enmeshed in recurring conflict and violence, such as in Africa. Ethnoreligious conflicts, boundary disputes, genocide, resource-based conflicts, and youth restiveness characterize many African nations. This idea has been made intricate by a surge in the youth population, massive unemployment, limited education opportunities, and widespread poverty that makes youth key factors in the generation of conflict in Africa. Despite these challenges, the youth of many African nations have distinguished themselves as agents of peace and conflict resolution. On this premise, this article examines youth as agents of peace and reconciliation in Africa. The paper adopts a thematic approach within a qualitative framework and relies on secondary data from briefs, newspapers, conference papers, government reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The paper found that shifting focus from the stereotypical prejudice of youth as agents of conflict to agents of peace is instrumental to unlocking their potential as actors in Africa's peace process and conflict resolution. It was also found that youth promote peace and inclusion through advocacy and civic engagement. They use tools such as music, arts, sports, education, storytelling, and interfaith dialogue to build cohesion, resilience, peace, and trust in various parts of Africa. Resultantly, the article made practical policy recommendations such as the establishment of an African Youth Assembly (AYA), African Youth Parliaments (AYP), Youth Participation Commission (YPC), and Youth Empowerment Commission (YEC) – among others.
 Keywords: Conflict, Governance, Inclusion, Peacebuilding, Youth

Traditional Institutions and Conflict Resolution in Contemporary Africa

The failure of post-colonial African states in providing solutions to the incessant crises confronting them has been traced to their detachment from their institutional and cultural values. The argument is that modern techniques at resolving internecine conflicts in the continent have not yielded optimal results over the years. Whereas, in traditional African societies, the mechanism put in place to address conflicts prevented the atrophying of the communities and occasioned activities that promoted peace among members of the societies. Traditional Africa’s approaches to conflict resolution are believed to be largely guided by unique norms, values, as well as cultural and traditional settings of the community. These promoted their capacity to co-exist peacefully, to commune together, to respect one another, to forgive and to reconcile. In order to see how these can be replicated in contemporary Africa, research efforts have been dedicated to proffering alternative models that are contextually based, and more suitable for African societies. Therefore, in contribution to the volume of research in this area, this paper examines the indigenous institutions of conflict resolution in traditional African societies using the Yoruba societies as reference points. Specifically focussing on Ipetu-ljesa community in Oriade Local Government area of Osun State, Nigeria, the paper x-rays the role of the indigenous institutions of conflict resolution in Africa, the challenges they face in contemporary times as well as possible ways of engaging this model for conflict resolution in African societies.

Climate Change and Conflict Resolution in Africa: The Nexus

The paper focuses on the nexus between climate change and conflict resolution in Africa. Its general objective is to assess the nature of relationship between climate change and conflict resolution, with the specific aims to identify how the interconnections between the twin concepts affect national security, and to propose policy-based recommendations to mitigate the anomalies. Its methodology include the use of qualitative descriptive method of analysis, secondary sources of information (books, internet, journals, newspapers, etc), and use of charts in its analysis. It adopted the Functionalist theory for its theoretical framework for needful extrapolations to explaining the nexus between climate change and conflict resolution. Some findings were made; a few of these include 1. There is inextricable causal relationship between climate change and conflict resolution: the more there are climate change-related conflicts, the more conflict resolution mechanisms emerge to resolve them; 2. Its impacts hold negative implications to national security; etc. In view of the findings, the paper therefore concluded that there is a correlation between the two variables, and recommends thus: leadership of the affected communities and the indigenes should be actively involved in resolving the climate change related conflicts; African national governments should take up climate change and conflict resolutions as top priorities in their national budgets with adequate provisions, etc.
 
 Received: 27 February 2022 / Accepted: 29 April 2022 / Published: 5 May 2022

State Weakness, a Fragmented Patronage-Based System, and Protracted Local Conflict in the Central African Republic

Abstract There is an academic consensus that addressing the local cleavages that drive armed conflict through local peacemaking is crucial to building peace. However, several studies also suggest that local peacemaking is often unsustainable without the conclusion of a national-level elite pact. This article moves this debate forward by arguing that even if an elite-level pact is in place, a lack of connections between national-level elites and local conflict parties can prevent peace from trickling down from the national level to the local level. This argument is demonstrated by looking at national-level and local peacemaking efforts in the Central African Republic. Although several national-level peace agreements have been concluded in the Central African Republic, extreme state weakness and a highly fragmented patronage-based system have prevented national-level peacemaking efforts from having a positive impact on local peacemaking efforts in the Central African Republic. This article contributes to the literature on conflict resolution in Africa. Many studies have focused on the local peace process, yet the national-level context in which these local peace processes take place is only rarely considered.

The Role of Environmental Justice in Promoting the Rule of Law in Natural Resource Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria

The Role of Environmental Justice in Promoting the Rule of Law in Natural Resource Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria

Options for Post-Election Conflict Resolution in Africa

Elections in most emerging democracies are generally characterised by irregularities which in turn fuel violent and non-violent expressions of displeasure before, during and after the voting excise. This paper discusses options for post-election conflict resolution with focus on African experiences since 2000. The paper holds that political and nonpolitical, local and international actors, play a dire role in ensuring that election-related insecurities are at least pacified. The paper assessed the constitutional, political and diplomatic alternatives to post- election conflict resolution. The paper goes further to examine the challenges that faced by African states in their exertion to deal with post-election conflicts. The study provides recommendations to inform the successes of the he post-election conflict resolutions in Africa. This paper establishes that most African states have lucrative legal frameworks on conducting elections and dealing with post-election unfortunate eventualities, the most compromise comes from, however, lack of political will and respect for the municipal ad international regulations. Furthermore, the paper realises that the continent, in some cases, lacks capacity and effectiveness on policy implementation to enforce electoral outcome or court rulings.

Civil War and Democracy in West Africa: Conflict Resolution Elections and Justice in Sierra Leone and Liberia by David Harris


 
 
 In the book titled Civil War and Democracy in West Africa: Conflict Resolution Elections and Justice in Sierra Leone and Liberia, author David Harris comprehensively exemplifies how in the twenty-first century, elections are viewed and used as determinants in post-conflict settings. The author builds on the aforementioned argument while generally tracing the development of conflict resolution in Africa during the post-Cold War era, but while dedicating distinct attention to such developments in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Through the case studies of the two West African states i.e. Sierra Leone and Liberia, the author critically analyzes the emphasize accorded to the role of elections as the core of conflict termination and how the failure to participate in elections leaves states consequences which are completely uncalled for. The author lays substantial stress on questioning the role of the international community in strengthening the significance of post-conflict elections and conceptions of transitional justice, especially the emergence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) generally, alongside the emergence of ad hoc hybrid systems such as the Sierra Leone Special Court (SLSC) particularly. The author does not just illustrate a vivid picture of the literature on contemporary conflict resolution more broadly but does so specifically in relation to the African continent and the emergence of the new war notion in respect of Africa's various intra-state conflicts. Harris, in this account also provides a detailed portrayal of thematic considerations and developments in relation to the conflict in Africa, exploring the ideas of ethnicity and motivation such as greed vs grievance debate. Although the main focus of this book is conflict resolution and democratization, the study of elections as the converging point which serves as the intersection of local actors, international bodies and post-conflict elections constitutes the central thematic underpinning of the book.
 
 

The Role of Electoral, Administration, and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Comparative Study

Elections remain the basic fundamental to any democracy; they are also the political activities most open to manipulation leading to violence in Africa. Whilst in some advanced countries, elections are seen as an instrument for peace, elections in Sub-Sahara Africa are often fraught with conflict and political violence. The role of electoral administrators is very critical in ensuring the achievement of better democracy through elections. Studies indicate that electoral administration is given little consideration in the investigation of political democratisation, especially in transitional democracies. This paper seeks to test whether electoral administration contributes or reduces conflict in Africa through a comparative study between Ghana and Kenya. The study adopted descriptive correlational survey to find out the extent of association between electoral governance and conflicts in Africa. The study stipulated two research objectives and hypotheses. These hypotheses were tested to ascertain their impact on the rate of electoral violence. The results from the study indicated that all two stated hypotheses were supported by the data. The findings show a critical association between the role of election management bodies, electoral system and the rate of violence. The study also discovered high effectiveness of electoral governance in Ghana compared to Kenya. Keywords: electoral administration, electoral conflict, political violence, ethnicity, democratic process. DOI : 10.7176/JAAS/58-06 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Culture as Basis for Conflict Creation and Conflict Resolution in Africa

Culture as Basis for Conflict Creation and Conflict Resolution in Africa

Traditional African Conflict Resolution: The Case of South Africa and Ethiopia

In Africa, traditional conflict resolution is based on values, norms, cultures and beliefs as practiced by the members of the community. Thus, traditional conflict resolution decisions are readily accepted by the community. However, colonialism had very serious impact on African values, norms, cultures and beliefs. It disregarded, undermined and weakened them. Cultural hegemony (as a result of colonialism) and legal transplantation (without adequate attention to traditional systems) have adversely affected traditional conflict resolution in Africa. Nonetheless, the continuous use of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms across African communities clearly demonstrates that they still have a role to play. The article aims to assess the institution of traditional conflict resolution in Africa with particular emphasis on South Africa and Ethiopia. Both countries are multiethnic societies with a variety of cultures, languages and religions. Ethiopia maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation and from 1936 to 1941. South Africa was a Dutch colony from 1662 to 1815, a British colony from1910 to 1948 and under the Apartheid era from 1948 to1994. Using case studies of South Africa and Ethiopia, the article examines some of the successes and challenges faced by traditional conflict resolution institutions. The opportunities offered to them by the two legal systems are also examined. The two systems are not selected for the purpose of comparative analysis compared, but are examined as self representative examples in their own historical, political and legal contexts. Key termsTradition · Conflict · Traditional conflict resolution · South Africa · Ethiopia

Anglo-Arabic Influence and the African Sacred: Implications for Conflicts and Conflict Resolution in Africa

Anglo-Arabic Influence and the African Sacred: Implications for Conflicts and Conflict Resolution in Africa

Indigenous Approaches to Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Study of the Barolong People of the North-West Province, South Africa

Indigenous Approaches to Conflict Resolution in Africa: A Study of the Barolong People of the North-West Province, South Africa

Implications of the African Union's stance on immunity for leaders on conflict resolution in Africa: The case of South Sudan and lessons from the Habré case

Implications of the African Union's stance on immunity for leaders on conflict resolution in Africa: The case of South Sudan and lessons from the Habré case

Ubuntu and the Quest for Conflict Resolution in Africa

Many postcolonial African states have experienced violent conflicts, prompting the quest for viable approaches to conflict resolution and peace-building. Certain groups’ desire to control power and resources at the expense of others lies at the heart of the racism, civil wars, armed insurrections, terrorism, ethnic conflict, genocide, xenophobia, and intracommunity and domestic conflict prevalent in Africa, particularly in countries that experienced prolonged foreign domination. The quest for peace and security led to the resurgence of Ubuntu, an African humanist ideology, as an indigenous approach to conflict resolution and peace-building. This article explores the place of Ubuntu in the continent’s peace and security projects. Despite the utility of Ubuntu’s principles in a few postconflict societies, the article highlights the difficulties involved in its adoption by state institutions, mainly due to the complex interactions exemplified by the modern state. However, adherence to the principles of Ubuntu by state and nonstate actors would drastically reduce threats to peace and security in Africa.

NEPAD and the AU on Good Governance and Conflict Resolution in Africa

For decades, Africa has grappled with conflicts, non-democratic regimes, under-development amongst other malaises. To address this and put Africa towards the growth path, several initiatives were developed, some by Africans and others through the multilateral institutions. Of all these initiatives, scholars agree that, in its inception, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) captured the imaginations of international community and it was well received by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the donor community. This essay reviewed the existing literature as well as developments in the African continent, so that it could assess successes of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU) in embedding democracy, good governance and conflict resolution in Africa. Based on the reviews, it is argued that the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU) have not been successful in embedding democracy, good governance and conflict resolution in Africa. A case in point being poor governance practices as demonstrated in the performance of African countries in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) by Transparency International, lack of transparent and proper democracies as demonstrated by irregularities in elections as well as ongoing conflicts in areas such as the Darfur region, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Somalia.

Conflict resolution in Africa : a focus on Umuada (Daughters) in Ahiazu-Mbaise, Nigeria

Conflict resolution in Africa : a focus on Umuada (Daughters) in Ahiazu-Mbaise, Nigeria