Peacebuilding in contemporary Africa: in search of alternative strategies

Part I: Concept debate -- 1. Introduction: Peacebuilding in contemporary Africa / Kenneth Omeje -- 2. The peacebuilding and development debate : is contemporary peacebuilding development in disguise? / Mala Mustapha and Usman A. Tar -- Peacebuilding in micro-level inter-community conflicts in West Africa : examples from Ghana and Nigeria / Afua Boatemaa Yakohene -- 4. Marginalization and violent conflict in the Karamoja region of Uganda / Tony Karbo -- 5. Peacebuilding in micro-level inter-community conflicts : examples from selected countries in southern Africa / Pamela Machakanja and Chupicai Manuel -- Part III: Convention wisdom and practices in peacebuilding: Macro -level conflicts -- 6. Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone one and half decades after the civil war : at what stage does a country cease to be post-conflict? / Ibrahim Bangura -- 7. The task of rebuilding Liberia / T. Debey Sayndee -- 8. Conflict intervention, insecurity and the challenges of peacebuilding in South Sudan / Nicodemus Minde -- 9. Boko Haram insurgency, terrorism and the challenges of peacebuilding in the Lake Chad basin / Usman A. Tar and Bashir Bala -- 10. Obstacles to peace and security in North Africa / Ibrahim Bangura and Sampson Lau -- Part IV: In search of alternative strategies -- 11. Peacebuilding through peace education in the Horn of Africa : a transformative cosmopolitan perspective / Yonas Adaye Adeto -- 12. Transiting from armed conflict to peace in contemporary Africa : changing tides, research findings and future directions / Kenneth Omeje -- Index.

Peacebuilding in Contemporary Africa explores the challenges and opportunities faced by countries and societies transitioning from armed conflicts to peace in contemporary 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 paysparticularattention to grassroots-based micro-level conflicts often disregarded in peacebuilding literature, which tends to focus 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.