The following is an interview with APN 2013 grantee Professor Oluwafunmilayo J. Para-Mallam, on the sidelines of a policy dialogue jointly organized by the African Peacebuilding Network (APN), the Centre for Democracy…
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AU-UN Cooperation
African Peace Support Operations: Sites for Deepening the United Nations’ Cooperation with Regional Organizations
by Dawit Yohannes Wondemagegnehu
"Against a backdrop of a dynamic and changing peace and security environment, the UN’s interaction with ROs is being redefined. Given the security realities of the continent, Africa is at the forefront of this historical dynamism, and African PSOs are instrumental in shaping the existing contours of the UN–RO relationship."
Viewpoint
A Reflection on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding in Africa
by African Peacebuilding Network
"There is the belief that if you build competitive institutions and a structure of government, these elements of statebuilding will lead to state stability. It is more than just democratic competence of the state, however; it is also about the strength of the nation. The question to be asked is, How do you building a strong and stable state, but also a strong nation?"
Essays
A Soft Power Approach to Eradicating Extremism in Africa
by Dan Kuwali
“Leaders, clerics, and scholars at all levels should devise effective strategies to tackle the root causes of extremism and terrorism. The idea is to cultivate a culture of peace, tolerance, and acceptance of unity in diversity, based on diverse African values.”
Essays
Engaging Gender, Peace, and Security through the Lens of Terrorism: The Case of Boko Haram
by Cheryl Hendricks and Rachel Sittoni
"Evolving security concerns have globally and continentally provided an entry point to discussing gender, peace, and security, mainly by focusing on SGBV in conflict situations. If we look at these issues through the lens of terrorism, what new insights emerge?"
Essays
Women’s Involvement in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution among the Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria
Elections & Governance
Press Freedoms and the Need to Repeal Draconian Media Legislation in Tanzania
by Nicodemus Minde
"Press freedom is an important element of the democratization process. The freedom to report critically and question decisions promotes transparency and accountability and helps build robust, open, and democratic institutions .... Increased media freedoms and citizens’ access to information are essential to attaining these goals and consolidating democratic governance and political stability."
Research and Practice
Journeys of Peace: Ex-combatants from Azania People’s Liberation Army in South Africa
by Godfrey Maringira
"This essay summarizes the conclusions drawn from a study funded by the African Peacebuilding Network of the Social Science Research Council. It seeks to explore the ways in which ex-combatants make the transition from the use of violence to peace. These conclusions challenge the view that ex-combatants have continued to be violent in post-apartheid South Africa, and they establish that, even though ex-combatants have held onto their military skills, they are peaceful citizens."