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The prevailing narrative on Africa is that it is awash with violent conflict. Indeed, it does suffer from a multitude of conflicts — from border skirmishes to civil wars to terrorist attacks. Conflicts in Africa are diverse and complex, but there have been a number of cases of successful conflict management and resolution. What accounts for the successes and failures, and what can we learn from Africa’s experience? Minding the Gap: African Conflict Management in a Time of Change takes on these questions, bringing together more than 20 experts to examine the source of conflicts in Africa and assess African management capacity in the face of these conflicts. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword — The Right Honourable Joe Clark

PART ONE: INTRODUCTION

Conflict Management Capacity in Africa: Understanding the Problem and Designing the Solution
Pamela Aall

PART TWO — CONFLICT IN AFRICA

Understanding the Nature and Origins of Violent Conflict in Africa
Raymond Gilpin

Crises of Political Legitimacy
Christopher Fomunyoh

Crises of War-to-Peace Transition and Civil War Recurrences
‘Funmi Olonisakin

The Dimensions of the Future of Conflict in Africa
William Reno

Religious Extremism, Insurgent Violence and the Transformation of the New African Security Landscape
Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou

Understanding the Resource Curse Effects: Instability and Violent Conflict in Africa
Cyril Obi

Crises of Secessionism, Boundary Irredentism and the Quest for Self-determination in Africa
Mulugeta Gebrihiwot

Regional Conflicts and Cross-border Activities Fuelled by Criminal and Terrorist Networks in West Africa
Kwesi Aning and Lydia Mawuenya Amedzrator

PART THREE — RESPONDING TO CRISES: PEACE OPERATIONS AND MEDIATION

African Initiatives

The African Peace and Security Architecture and Regional Conflict Management Mechanisms
Jakkie Cilliers and Amandine Gnanguênon

Will the Lowest be First?: Subsidiarity in Peacemaking in Africa
Laurie Nathan

African-led Peace Operations
Comfort Ero

Mediation and Political Tools in Africa
I William Zartman

Eminent Peacemakers in African Conflicts: Contributions, Potential and Limits
Gilbert M. Khadiagala

African Peace Building: Civil Society Roles in Conflict
Alice Wairimu Nderitu

Role of the International Community – Players and Roles 

United Nations Peacekeeping in Africa
Paul D. Williams

Reflections on External Roles in African Security Affairs
Chester A. Crocker

International Support to African Peace Processes
Neha Sanghrajka and Meredith Preston-McGhie

Civil Society as Counter-power: Rethinking International Support Toward Tackling Conflict And Fostering Non-violent Politics in Africa
Sharath Srinivasan

PART FOUR — CONCLUSIONS

Bridging the Gap
Chester A. Crocker and Pamela Aall