Conflict management in Africa in the 1980s

Abstract

Conflict is said to be an endemic phenomenon of society. But while certain societies have been able, over [sic; there appears to be some text missing here] succeeding that would facilitate conflict necessarily into the pathological form of crisis situation as elsewhere in the developing world, colonialism, the liberation struggle, and the attempt to assert independence within the frame-work of borders imposed by colonial rule, have to a large measure, been the basis of endemic crisis. The nature and quality of public leadership has also contributed in no small measure to the incidence of crisis in Africa

Africa, therefore, needs a 'peace dividend' if it is to ensure sustainable socio-economic development and if it is to salvage its battered image of the 'crisis-ridden' and 'ungovernable' continent. This is an unenviable task, (given the limitations of the continent) that must nevertheless be carried out

It is against this background that this study seeks to look at Africa's crisis situations in the 1980s and how they were managed by various third parties, with a view to drawing some valuable conclusions and lessons for the 1990s and beyond. The writer seeks to do this by way of three case studies: the Burkina/Mali crisis, representing boundary crisis; the Namibian problem, representing decolonization crisis; and finally, the Chadian crisis representing civil wars

It is argued that with the ending-cold war, there is some hope for co-operation between the super powers in managing regional crises in the world. This was signaled in the Namibian crisis. This, it is to be expected, should influence, in a positive way, the level of co-operation between member states in the UN to enable it play its primary role of ensuring international co-operation and peace in the world

It is further argued that it would, however, be up to the African ruling elite to take advantage of this changing international climate and evolve the necessary strategy and tactics at its own level and in collaboration with the UN to manage African crises as quickly as possible, as well as, settle the underlying conflicts

This way, it is hoped, more time will be devoted to ensuring peaceful change and nation-building, with less destruction to human and material resources