The African Journal on Conflict Resolution is a peer-reviewed journal published by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) for the multidisciplinary subject field of conflict resolution. There are two regular issues per year, and occasionally also a special issue on a particular theme. It appears on the list of journals accredited by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training. ACCORD is a non-governmental, non-aligned conflict resolution organisation based in Durban, South Africa. ACCORD is constituted as an education trust.

News

The Globethics library contains vol. 4(2004) to current.

Recent Submissions

  • The Colonial Legacy and Transitional Justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Tunamsifu, Shirambere Philippe (ACCORD, 2023-04-04)
    The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) experienced a brutal colonial regime and a segregated judicial system with a weak educational  system used to support colonial policies and a post-colonial legal framework designed to avoid prosecution for colonial-era crimes. Under such a regime, a broad range of violations were registered including about 10 million people who were killed. In the aftermath of the colonial era, the post-colonial regime did  not sufficiently redress the situation through prosecution or meaningful reforms. Consequently, most of those atrocities remained unpunished. This  study lists the main reasons for why the colonial-era crimes were not investigated which are linked to the gaps in the legal framework, the configuration  of the judiciary, and an informal agreement between the DRC and the Belgian governments.
  • Editorial

    de Coning, Cedric (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    No Abstract.
  • Indigenous restorative justice mechanisms as a tool for transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Murhula, Patrick Bashizi Bashige (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    The United Nations Mapping Report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a powerful reminder of the gravity of the crimes committed in this country. This report found that the period between March 1993 and June 2003 is probably one of the most tragic chapters in the recent history of the DRC. A string of major political crises, wars and multiple ethnic and regional conflicts killed millions of people. However, since the publication of this report there has been a shocking lack of justice for the victims because the Congolese justice system has been ineffective in prosecuting the perpetrators. This article is a valuable contribution to ending impunity in that it proposes an alternative approach to justice. This is based on  restorative values and principles, such as the Baraza indigenous restorative justice mechanism. This provides justice to victims, restores peace and reconciliation in the region and, most importantly, holds perpetrators accountable for the crimes and human rights violations they have committed.
  • Adaptation of local peace committees in Zimbabwe: Lessons from Chipinge- East constituency

    Muchanyuka, Muneyi Rewayi (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    The article discusses a study conducted in the Chipinge-East District of  the Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. The possibilities of establishing local peace committees in a Zimbabwean context were analysed. The study was as a reaction to the recurring violence affecting Zimbabwean  communities along the border with Mozambique. In addition, the absence of comprehensive violence-reduction measures from the Zimbabwean  government and communities to address this violence was noted. An action research approach was used to conduct the study. The findings of the  study revealed that the Chipinge-East community had the capacity and interest to set up a Local Peace Committee (LPC). The LPC managed to set up  an early warning system to mitigate the violence which occurs in the community. The LPC members also managed to travel to other locations in  Chipinge District to inform the wider community about the early warning system. Despite its notable achievements, the LPC faced obstacles which  included a lack of financial resources, initial resistance, and suspicions from community members and state authorities. Despite the challenges, the  LPC continues to forge ahead and serves as a model for peacebuilding in Zimbabwe.  
  • Impact of the Church on Conflict Transformation of Political Crises at Community Level: A Case Study of two Church Denominations in Dzivarasekwa, Harare

    Shoko, Angela (ACCORD, 2023-04-04)
    This study, based on Lederach’s conflict transformation (CT) theory, analyses the participation of the local church in CT of political crises in Zimbabwe at  the grassroots level – from 2005 to 2020. It compares the CT interventions of one Pentecostal church denomination and of one African Independent  Church denomination in the Dzivarasekwa suburb of Harare. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. SPSS software was used to analyse  quantitative data while the NVivo application was used for qualitative data analysis. One key finding is that both denominations believe CT entails  community engagement. Major challenges to local churches’ CT participation include financial constraints, repressive laws and church executives’ fear of  victimisation. The study concludes that the impact of the local churches is low because their interventions are limited to congregation members and their  immediate neighbours. Another conclusion is that CT is politicised in Zimbabwe, which restricts effective church participation. The study makes some  recommendations to address this most effective in achieving peace in the region. 
  • Indigenous restorative justice mechanisms as a tool for transitional justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo

    Murhula, Patrick Bashizi Bashige (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    The United Nations Mapping Report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a powerful reminder of the gravity of the crimes committed in  this country. This report found that the period between March 1993 and June 2003 is probably one of the most tragic chapters in the recent history  of the DRC. A string of major political crises, wars and multiple ethnic and regional conflicts killed millions of people. However, since the publication  of this report there has been a shocking lack of justice for the victims because the Congolese justice system has been ineffective in prosecuting the  perpetrators. This article is a valuable contribution to ending impunity in that it proposes an alternative approach to justice. This is based on  restorative values and principles, such as the Baraza indigenous restorative justice mechanism. This provides justice to victims, restores peace and  reconciliation in the region and, most importantly, holds perpetrators accountable for the crimes and human rights violations they have committed. 
  • The role of the kingmakers and the electoral college system in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis

    Owusu-Mensah, Isaac (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    Redesign process’ to pave the way for the restoration of the Andanis and Abudus family gate rotational system.
  • National dialogue and social cohesion in Zambia

    Mukunto, Kabale Ignatius (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    National dialogues bring all major political stakeholders, decision-makers, and interest groups together following serious conflicts. In response to political differences that emerged from the 2016 general elections, Zambia enacted a National Dialogue (Constitution, Electoral Process, Public Order and Political parties) Act, 2019, which provided for holding a national dialogue forum (NDF). However, this trajectory has been turbulent and the outcome fiercely contested. This article is an appraisal shedding light on Zambia’s strides in hosting a post-2016 general elections national political dialogue process and an attempt to answer three critical questions. First, how can national political dialogue be best organised to build social cohesion? Second, what has been the Zambian experience with national dialogue, with particular reference to the 2019 NDF? Last, what lessons can be learned for future national dialogues in the country? The article offers some perspectives on how national dialogue can support the broader society to cohere. It also advances descriptive lessons for the future to vouch for an all-inclusive national dialogue process. 
  • The impact of stakeholder management on the oil and gas industry in Africa: A case study of oil companies and African host communities

    Madumere, Nnaemeka (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    The oil and gas industry is regarded as one of the most dynamic, complex and controversial industrial sectors and involves activities that generate a whole range of diverse viewpoints. This has resulted because the industry has several stakeholders who can influence and, at the same time, be impacted upon by activities associated with the value chain of oil and gas oriented business. However, one extremely important stakeholder is the community. Many researchers (Orsini 2016; Wall 2012; Mascarenhas 2011; Kinslow 2014; Boladeras, Wild and Murphy 2016) agree that the viewpoints of communities where oil and gas operations are carried out should be given high priority due to their significant influence over industry activities in their region, as well as the fact that they are the entities most impacted by these activities. This research examined notable conflicts experienced between oil companies and host communities in Africa with the aim to identify means by which relationships between the two aforementioned parties could be made cordial and sustainable. An integrated literature based research method and a case study strategy were adopted for this research. Two frameworks that will support organisations in effectively engaging and establishing cordial relationships with stakeholders were developed by the author; and the key findings of this research are that an effective means of establishing sustainable cordial relationships with host communities in Africa is by involving them in the ownership of operations in their region. This will naturally instill in them some sense of responsibility over the operations, which will in turn enable oil and gas companies to gain the trust, cooperation and support of host communities, as well as the social license to operate in their region. This relationship can be sustained if both parties work collaboratively to determine ways in which benefits from the operations may be maximised.
  • Editorial

    de Coning, Cedric (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    No Abstract.
  • Adaptation of local peace committees in Zimbabwe: Lessons from Chipinge- East constituency

    Muchanyuka, Muneyi Rewayi (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    The article discusses a study conducted in the Chipinge-East District of the Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. The possibilities of establishing local  peace committees in a Zimbabwean context were analysed. The study was as a reaction to the recurring violence affecting Zimbabwean  communities along the border with Mozambique. In addition, the absence of comprehensive violence-reduction measures from the Zimbabwean  government and communities to address this violence was noted. An action research approach was used to conduct the study. The findings of the  study revealed that the Chipinge-East community had the capacity and interest to set up a Local Peace Committee (LPC). The LPC managed to set up  an early warning system to mitigate the violence which occurs in the community. The LPC members also managed to travel to other locations in  Chipinge District to inform the wider community about the early warning system. Despite its notable achievements, the LPC faced obstacles which  included a lack of financial resources, initial resistance, and suspicions from community members and state authorities. Despite the challenges, the  LPC continues to forge ahead and serves as a model for peacebuilding in Zimbabwe. 
  • Hydro-geopolitics and conflicts among the ‘traditional states’ of the Nun River Basin, Ndop Plain (North-West Cameroon)

    Eno, Godwill Kungso Ndzofoa (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    The Nun River Basin (NRB) has a long history of cross-border conflicts, mostly connected to the impact of climate change on water sources and  resources. This article discusses the link between water politics and conflicts among the traditional communities in the NRB. Water scarcity and  floods have led to border conflicts among the “traditional states” at the drier edges and in the marshes of the NRB. Initial mappings to determine  geopolitical and water security contexts helped identify the areas, including firstly, Bamali, Bamunka, Babungo and Baba I, with maritime border  conflicts, and secondly the Babessi and Baba I floods, with access in the NRB. Based on our findings and analysis of existing sources and critical  interviews, the recognised and unrecognised links that bind water to the regional politics and relations among the fondoms are central to the  conflicts related to the control of water sources and the fertile rice cultivation marshes. The article concludes that although the “traditional states”  have been in mutual competition, where food needs accelerate in response to rising populations and economic interest, the traditional method of  conflict resolution through consensus has been most effective in achieving peace in the region.  
  • Malawi’s Peace Policy: The bedrock of a coherent national peace architecture?

    Dzinesa, Gwinyayi Albert (ACCORD, 2022-09-14)
    In November 2017, the government of Malawi launched the country’s first National Peace Policy (NPP) to systematically promote sustainable peace  and unity. Malawi already had infrastructures for peace (I4P) that had been developed separately by the state, non-state actors and other  stakeholders for various purposes. However, there was no integrated and coherent national peacebuilding framework which was focused on  proactive conflict prevention and the promotion of sustainable peace and unity. The outbreak of deadly violence between police and civilians in July  2011 was a major manifestation of shortcomings and failures of the uncoordinated and mainly reactive top-down and bottom-up peace  infrastructures established by the state and non-state actors, respectively. In response to the violence, the United Nations’ (UN) preventive  diplomacy and facilitation of national dialogue in Malawi helped de-escalate tensions and mitigate conflict risk. This culminated in the development  and approval of the NPP. The NPP is a bedrock strategy of a coherent and credible National Peace Architecture (NPA) to serve as the national pillar  for peacebuilding. The NPP is being implemented by complementary state and non-state actors working closely with the United Nations  Development Programme (UNDP) in compliance with regional, continental and international instruments relating to the NPA. The case of Malawi  presents an opportunity for building integrated local, national, regional, continental and international peace architectures.  
  • Foreword

    de Coning, Cedric (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    No Abstract.
  • Too partial to work? Informal institutions in the midst of climate change and armed conflict in central Mali

    Walch, Colin (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    In situations characterised by armed conflict and climate change, can informal institutions resolve conflict around shrinking resources? It is widely acknowledged that low state capacity increases the likelihood of violence in the context of climate change. In such context, informal institutions should play a crucial role in preventing and mitigating violence in the absence of formal institutions. However, little is known of the characteristics of these informal institutions and existing literature on climate change and conflict has examined them in isolation from national contexts and actors. This paper seeks to address this gap and argues that impartiality is essential for the ability of informal institutions to resolve resource-based conflict, a by-product of climate change, and prevent violence escalation. However, when institutions are partial, because of co-option by the state or other external actors, their decisions may further increase communal violence and prolong civil conflict. Partial institutions can encourage people to take justice into their own hands, and push individuals to join rebel groups offering more favourable options in redressing grievances. This theoretical argument is explored through a case study on central Mali, where partial informal institutions, in conjunction with other factors, have led to increased violence in the region.
  • Communal Conflicts in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria: A Socio-Contextual Rethink

    Okoli, Al Chukwuma; Ukwandu, Damian (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    Nasarawa State in North Central Nigeria has been notorious for communal conflicts. Such conflicts have often assumed complicated dimensions reflective of the social dynamics of the state. Oftentimes, the conflicts are framed in terms of identitarian differences and contestations, whilst the underlying drivers derive essentially from the socio-structural dynamics of the conflict context. By way of mixed research that is predicated on a combination of field and desk sources, this article interrogates the contemporary manifestations of communal conflicts in Nasarawa State through the combined lenses of liberal political ecology and conflict analysis. The article observes that the ethnoprimordial cleavages of the focal state have provided veritable pretexts for the prevalence of communal conflicts, making such conflicts problematic to understand as well as resolve. The outcome of the analysis indicates that communal conflicts in the focal state have been both dynamic and opportunistic, often feeding into the existing primordial and structural faultlines to assume multiple complications. There is therefore a need to understand the peculiar nature and dynamics of such conflicts in order to know how best to interpret, analyse and mitigate them.
  • An investigation into the role of traditional leaders in conflict resolution: The case of communities in the Mahikeng Local Municipality, North West Province, South Africa

    Mboh, Lovelyne (ACCORD, 2022-09-15)
    For many decades, traditional leaders have been occupied with solving conflicts in African indigenous communities. Nevertheless, their contributions to conflict resolution have not been as widely documented as work in the area of formal conflict resolution. The core of this investigation was to explore the roles traditional leaders play in resolving conflict among indigenous communities in South Africa. The study also explored shortcomings of traditional authority institutions as they carried out their roles in peace building. A qualitative research methodology was adopted to answer the objectives of the article. The research found that conflict remains an element peculiar to communities and, as such, the need for traditional leaders to intervene and maintain peace. Traditional leaders were guided by moral values and belief systems which have been passed down from one generation to the next. These authorities used processes such as mediation and arbitration in achieving peace. However, in some instances, these traditional leaders have experienced disrespect from community members. Most of the participants in this study are knowledgeable about traditional practice and have played vital roles in local conflict situations. 
  • Book review: A Theory of Mediators’ Ethics: Foundations, rationale, and application

    Malan, Jannie (ACCORD, 2019-12-04)
    Shapira, Omer 2016 New York: Cambridge University Press, xxvii + 466 pp. ISBN 978-1-316-50763-6 Reviewed by Saran Fina Sidime*

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