Conflict in Africa

Conflict prevention and resolution, early warning systems and peace-keeping are becoming issues of pressing concern in Africa today, and are now the subject of much research by academics, government bodies, the UN, the World Bank, the OAU, non-government organizations, aid agencies and human rights groups. The search for solutions to the many causes of violent conflict grows apace at a time when Africa has been afflicted by a series of wars and disasters that have resulted in human tragedy on an unimaginable scale. This book brings together many of the most prominent writers in the field to treat conflict in its widest sense. Essays on individual countries cover the issues of international and civil wars, rebellion, ethnic and religious disturbance, criminality and warlordism. The authors adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to analyse the roots of conflict. Particular attention is paid to both internal and external political and economic influences, artificial state boundaries, divisions based on ethnicity and religion, poverty and inequality, neglect of the rural sector and the effects of rapid urbanization. In addition there are three chapters that give a wider overview of conflict in Africa, examining the colonial legacy, the effect of conflict on the economies of African states, and human rights issues