The African Peacebuilding Network (APN) of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of its Individual Research Grants, Collaborative Working Group Grants, and Book Manuscript Completion Grants. The…
Latest posts - Page 38
Essays
The Usefulness of African Academics in the Diaspora to African universities
by Richard Alemdjrodo
The issue of the usefulness of African academics in the diaspora to African universities is no longer in doubt for two main reasons. First, many African universities are short of teachers and researchers with doctoral and post-doctoral qualifications and expertise. According to several studies, most African countries are currently facing a shortage of highly qualified […]
Essays
Reflections on World Press Freedom Day in Accra
by Audrey Gadzekpo
Just a few weeks ago on May 2 and 3, events celebrating the 25th World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) were held in Accra, Ghana—attended by more than nine hundred participants from around the world. Convened by UNESCO, many of the proceedings highlighted the numerous dangers those who bring news and information to the world continue […]
Conflict
Gang Violence in Gugulethu, South Africa: Notes from the field
by Godfrey Maringira and Diana Gibson
Gang violence continues unabated in South Africa, particularly in impoverished black and “coloured” communities. This essay focuses on black communities. We reveal how young men living in majority Xhosa-speaking black townships become part of a gang and how the gang relationship is forged and sustained over time. We pay attention to how the gang relationship […]
Mediation & Reconciliation
What is “the Local”? Exploring grassroots justice systems as a means of understanding the local
by Cori Wielenga
The liberal peacebuilding framework has been extensively critiqued and increasing attention is being given to “the local” in peacebuilding. What “local” means, though, still needs to be more deeply understood. What are the norms, values, and power dynamics, for example, that characterize diverse local contexts? An ongoing research project in Southern and Central Africa provides […]
Democracy, Development and Governance
Internal Party Reforms or Power Consolidation by African Ruling Parties?
Democracy, Development and Governance
Celebrating Army Generals in Zimbabwean Politics?
by Godfrey Maringira
Considering that former President Robert Mugabe was a long-time ally of the Zimbabwean military, no one expected that he would be overthrown by the military. Mugabe had favored the military as one of the bulwarks against challenges to his regime, so why would they then turn against a man who had for more than four […]
Policy and Practice
Can Peace Education Help Heal a Divided Kenya?
by John Mwangi Githigaro
The political impasse in Kenya Kenya needs national healing and reconciliation. This can be attributed to the protracted and hotly contested 2017 elections that re-opened ethnic divisions and tensions. Elections in Kenya since the return to multipartyism in 1991 have deepened divisions in the country, often resulting in ethnic clashes. The August 8, 2017 presidential […]
