Kenneth Omeje - Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa: In Search of Alternative Strategies

PEACEBUILDING IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA

Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa explores the challenges and opportunities faced by countries and societies transitioning from armed conflicts to peace in Africa. It evaluates the effectiveness, outcomes and failures of existing peacebuilding initiatives implemented by stakeholders, and proposes new strategies and approaches to facilitate the transition. The book investigates both micro- and macro-level conflicts in various parts of Africa, as well as the efforts made to resolve them and build peace.

The book pays special attention to grassroots-based micro-level conflicts often disregarded in peacebuilding literature, which tends to focus more on macro-level, neo-liberal state reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts. The book adopts an evidence- based, policy-relevant approach to peacebuilding in Africa. The various chapter contributors offer a lucid analysis and critique of some of the prevailing paradigms and strategies of peacebuilding practiced in Africa. Together, the authors recommend innovative strategies to mobilise and coordinate governance institutions and partnerships at all levels (international, regional, national and local) to prevent conflict escalation in volatile states and advance the rebuilding of violence-affected states and communities.

Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa provides a much-needed perspective from African scholars, and will be of interest to students, researchers, policy makers and practitioners with an interest in promoting legitimate policy interventions and sustainable peace in Africa.

Kenneth Omeje is Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Research Fellow at the Centre for Gender and African Studies, University of the Free State, South Africa; Visiting Professor at the Institute for Peace and Security Studies in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; and Visiting Professorial Fellow at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. He has previously held the positions of Professor of International Relations at the United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya and Senior Research Fellow at the John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies, University of Bradford, UK.

ROUTLEDGE STUDIES IN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT

Social Innovation in Africa

A practical guide for scaling impact

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli

Political Transition and Inclusive Development in Malawi

The democratic dividend

Edited by Dan Banik and Blessings Chinsinga

National Liberation Movements as Government in Africa

Edited by Redie Bereketeab

Hunger and Poverty in South Africa

The hidden faces of food insecurity

Jacqueline Hanoman

Extractive Industries and Changing State Dynamics in Africa

Beyond the Resource Curse

Edited by Jon Schubert, Ulf Engel and El sio Macamo

Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa

In Search of Alternative Strategies

Edited by Kenneth Omeje

The Challenge of Governance in South Sudan

Corruption, Peacebuilding and Foreign Intervention

Edited by Steven C. Roach and Derrick K. Hudson

PEACEBUILDING IN CONTEMPORARY AFRICA

In Search of Alternative Strategies

Edited by Kenneth Omeje

First published 2019

by Routledge

2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge

711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2019 selection and editorial matter, Kenneth Omeje; individual chapters,the contributors

The right of Kenneth Omeje to be identified as the author of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

A catalog record has been requested for this book

ISBN: 978-1-138-49201-1 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-1-138-49202-8 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-1-351-03146-2 (ebk)

Typeset in Bembo

by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India

CONTENTS

Kenneth Omeje

Mala Mustapha and Usman A. Tar

Afua Boatemaa Yakohene

Tony Karbo

Pamela Machakanja and Chupicai Manuel

Ibrahim Bangura

T. Debey Sayndee

Nicodemus Minde

Usman A. Tar and Bashir Bala

Ibrahim Bangura and Sampson Lau

Yonas Adaye Adeto

Kenneth Omeje

Responsibility is usually collective in an edited book project of this nature. I am pleased to acknowledge the inspiration provided by the African Peacebuilding Network (APN) of the Social Science Research Council of New York. My various works with the APN since its inception in 2012, including research, publications, workshops, seminars, advisory board meetings and conferences provided the cumulative inspiration for this book project. I have significantly expanded my expertise and research accomplishments in African peacebuilding since I first benefitted from the maiden edition of the APN peacebuilding research grant in 2012/2013. The APN Director Dr Cyril Obi deserves special tribute for the outstanding leadership and motivation he has provided to the African peacebuilding academic and policy research community. I am also grateful to many friends and colleagues I have met in various APN events in Africa and New York for their camaraderie and encouragement. Notable among them are Jennifer Sherys-Rivet (APN Programme Assistant), Professor Ismail Rashid (APN Advisory Board Chair), Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, Prof Cheryl Hendricks, Prof Heidi Hudson, Prof Abu Bakarr Bah and Prof Gilbert Khadiagala.

I am exceptionally grateful to Prof David Francis, my longstanding friend, mentor and colleague at the University of Bradfords John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies for his goodwill and encouragement. To all the chapter contributors and manuscripts reviewers, I say a big thank you for your commitment and professionalism. To the Routledge Development Studies team (Commissioning Editor Helena Hurd and her colleague Leila Walker), I render my unreserved appreciation for your indefatigable push and professional guidance.

I am eternally indebted to my loving wife, Ngozi, and children, Rejoicing, Chibia and Ifediche for their unflinching support, prayers and understanding. I am blessed to have a wonderful family in you. To the entire prayer team and Coordinators of Crown of Christ Gospel Church in Bradford, my brethren and family in Christ, I convey my profound gratitude for your spiritual support and solidarity.

Kenneth Omeje