Introduction For the past two decades, reports on the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have been at the forefront of global news. The focus of these reports has not been on its abundant natural resources, which are highly coveted, or its increasingly strategic status as a maritime trade route. Instead, the reports have been on the […]
Essays
Essays present critical analysis and debate on a pressing issue in African peacebuilding.
Environmental Policies
Limitations of Community-Based Wildlife Conservation for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding at Loliondo GCA, Tanzania
by Ruth Wairimu John
Introduction Conservation strategies in Africa typically comprise a variety of approaches aimed at preserving biodiversity, safeguarding species, and conserving habitat. Such approaches are all critical measures for preserving ecosystems that benefit local communities and contributing to policies that conserve biodiversity and global environmental goals. Community-Based Approaches (CBA) offer a unique perspective by emphasising local involvement […]
Media
Local Dynamics of Everyday Digital Peacebuilding in Africa
by Sokfa John
Introduction Africa’s peacebuilding landscape is increasingly animated by the intentional exploration and strategic use of digital technologies to prevent or respond to conflict, in the aim of building sustainable peace. This is taking place alongside growing calls for localizing peacebuilding in terms of advancing local ownership, leadership, and agency.1 Both trends are an opportunity to […]
Ethiopia
Ethiopia`s Pretoria Peace Agreement and the Fate of the ‘Contested’ Areas
by Alagaw Ababu Kifle
Introduction After two years of devastating war, the Federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People`s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.1 At the core of the agreement is the TPLF recognizing and submitting to the authority of the Federal Government of Ethiopia by […]
Africa
Living around Mole National Park: Grassroots Perspectives on Gendered Experiences of Protected Area Conflicts and Peacebuilding Strategies
by Ophelia Soliku
Introduction Globally, conflicts are intrinsic to protected areas (PAs), given the multiple actors, varying interests, and institutional structures connected with PA management. Some experts argue that participatory approaches to natural resources management—especially when women’s views are incorporated—reduce conflicts, promote equity, and build local capacities.[1] Despite this argument, many policies and practices concerning natural resource conflict […]
Essays
“Extractive Enchantment:” Unveiling the Dynamics of Resource Governance in Mozambique
by Anselmo Matusse
In June 2016, during an ethnographic research trip to Limbué, an administrative post in the Lugela district in Mozambique, I had an interesting conversation with the commercial motorcycle operator assigned to me by the district’s permanent secretary to take me around the area. This operator, a resident of Lugela district, shared his perspective on the […]
Essays
Conflict and Peacebuilding in Northwest Nigeria: A Perspective on “The Bandit Warlords of Zamfara”
Essays
Films, Fictional Works, and Social Media in Conflict Resolution in Nigeria: Harnessing a Non-Violent Communication …
