Traditional methods of conflict resolution accord the african. Advantages and disadvances of dispute resolution process. Traditional justice and reconciliation after violent conflict. Hybrid violent conflicts, hybrid political orders many of todays largescale violent conflicts in the global south cannot be perceived as conventional wars any longer. The case of the organisation of african unity oau author. These case studies are used as the basis for outlining conclusions and. Endalcachew bayeh et al traditional conflict resolution as a better option to court proceeding. This article will address the issue of conflict, how it was dealt with in traditional african culture, the methods of communication both in traditional and modern uganda and the question of rights and responsibilities in promoting cross cultural amity. African conflict, mediation, reconciliation, adjudication, negotiation, etc. Cultural processes of conflict resolution in ghana traditional conflict resolution is a structured political, judicial and arbitration mechanism.
This study examined the patterns or mechanism for conflict resolution in traditional african societies with particular reference to yoruba and igbo societies in. Land, in a majority of the cases was communally owned and control of land left almost. Ndebele traditional crisis resolution and phases follow more or less the same developments, conflict is precipitated by a conflict of. Indigenous approaches to conflict resolution in africa. Download citation methods of conflict resolution in african traditional society this study examined the patterns or mechanism for conflict resolution in traditional african societies with. Lessons learned from mediation by an african regional. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms and institutions. The evolution of conflict resolution maxwell school of. In conclusion, having done this crosssection on traditional african dispute resolution tadr mechanisms, i am of the view that conflict resolution is a dynamic process. He identifies five different methodologies practices that can lead to conflict resolution that are modern. Since the two royal families in dagbon, namely abudu and andani, have aligned with political parties, the actors within these parties have the responsibility of stripping their political and electoral interest off the conflict. Advantages and disadvantages of dispute resolution processes in order to select the most appropriate process, it is important to understand and appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of the various dispute resolution processes. What was the nature of conflicts in precolonial african societies.
Ngwane returns in chapter six captioned old values. In september 2009, mrg conflict prevention head chris chapman traveled to kampala, uganda, and nakuru, kenya to meet with cso representatives working on issues of conflict in the regions. It concludes that traditional conflict resolution techniques such as mediation, adjudication, reconciliation, and negotiation as well as cross examination which were employed by africans in the. African traditional mechanisms of conflict prevention, management and resolution were largely effective and respected, and their decisions were binding on all. It concludes that traditional conflict resolution techniques such as mediation, adjudication, reconciliation, and negotiation as well ascross examination which were employed by africans in the past, offer great prospects for peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationships in postconflict periods than the modern method of litigation settlements in law courts. Pdf conflict management in traditional african society. This report aims to address this gap by examining the role played by traditional justice mechanisms in dealing with the legacy of violent conflict in five african countriesrwanda, mozambique, uganda, sierra leone and burundi. Public conflicts and ineffective means for dealing with them lead to wasted resources, social instability, reduced investment, chronic underdevelopment, and loss of life. The african indigenous methods of dispute resolution places emphasis on the community and parties to the conflict, as opposed to the individuals in conflict. They are translated into the language of western peace and conflict studies and hence adjusted in ways that make them fit that. This book brings together nine specialists from africa and the united statesincluding former diplomats, academics, policymakers, and policy analyststo assess ways to enhance the u.
Conflicts and causes of conflicts in africa project. In the outline of advantages and disadvantages of dispute resolution processes provided below, a simplified. Integrating traditional and modern conflict resolution. Traditional mechanisms of resolving conflicts over land. Nabudere 1997 mentions that the recent collapse of the somali nationstate and. Conflict, conflict prevention, conflict management and beyond. Committed group members attempt to resolve group conflicts by actively communicating information about their conflicting motives or ideologies to the rest of group e. This text identifies contributions of traditional mechanisms for conflict management in africa and elsewhere.
Traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution in southern sudan by dr. The analysis of traditional methods of conflict resolution is. It can also be said to be an incompatibility, as of two things that cannot be simultaneously fulfilled. Over the years, there have developed inter group conflict over land. African conflicts yielding no results or, at times, even exacerbating the conflict. These projects are in collaboration with cecore and endorois welfare council ewc, holding training workshops on peace building and conflict resolution. The four contributors to the conflict resolution theme are all outstanding researchers in the field of environmental decisionmaking. Accord the africa dialogue monograph series is published by the african centre for the constructive resolution of disputes accord. They may have particular value in stabilization and statebuilding efforts when judicial institutions are weak and social tensions are high. From mandela to zuma katabaro miti university of pretoria, south africa abstract this article looks at how the three presidential leaders of south africa nelson mandela, thabo mbeki and jacob zuma, have dealt with various conflict situations on the african continent. Existence of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms such as negotiation, reconciliation, mediation and others is evidence that these concepts are not new in africa. A viable alternative for peace building process in modern africa 8 opposition to the old definition of peace as the absence of war.
Conflict management group cmg is dedicated to improving the methods of negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperative decisionmaking as applied to issues of public concern. Conflict resolution is conceptualized as the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution. Methods of conflict resolution in african traditional. Traditional conflict resolution mechanism is a social capital, defined as the capability of social norms and customs to hold members of a group together by effectively setting and facilitating the terms of their relationship sustainability facilitates collective action for achieving mutually beneficial ends fredmensah, 2005. New models to traditional african conceptual models for conflict resolution.
The role of traditional leaders in conflict management in. This period was marked with definite systems of dispute resolution peculiar to each kenyan community. Fig 1 is a model of how westerners often perceive conflict and its resolution. How do conflicts in traditional africa compare with those of the region. Sources of conflict and methods of conflict resolution ron fisher, ph. Principles of conflict resolution in traditional african societies in the precolonial days, there were many principles guiding conflict resolution in the traditional african societies. African conflict resolution united states institute of peace. It concludes that traditional conflict resolution techniques such as mediation, adjudication, reconciliation, and negotiation as well as cross examination which were employed by africans in the past, offer. Neither are they clashes between states, nor are they conventional. Traditional conflict resolution strategies as spelt out by ajayi and buhari 2014 in their study of patterns or mechanism for conflict resolution in traditional african societies with particular reference to yoruba and igbo societies in nigeria and pondo tribe in south africa. In what ways can a new understanding of the indigenous conflict resolution.
Therefore, there is a gap on the traditional mechanisms for resolving conflict particularly land conflict in tanzania. The methods, processes and regulations are deeply rooted in the customs and traditions of peoples of africa. With african conflicts eluding efforts to be controlled, this work is guided by the question. Traditional approaches to conflict transformation potentials and limits volker boege 1. The paper notes that conflict resolution in traditional african societies provides opportunity to interact with the parties concerned, it promotes consensusbuilding, social bridge. Indigenous approaches to conflict resolution in africa sryahwa.
Traditional african dispute resolution tadr mechanisms. Conflict occurs between people in all kinds of human relationships and in all social settings. Traditional leaders play a vital role in local and grassroots communities in relation to socioeconomic development and the administration of. The paper notes that conflict resolution in traditional african societies provides opportunity to. Accord is a civil society institution working throughout africa to bring creative african solutions to the challenges posted by conflict on the continent. Approaches to conflict resolution, as applied to international environmental disputes, include negotiation, mediation and arbitration. As for reasons for the failure, she points to the erosion of the values that existed within the traditional african societies and the replacement of these values by foreign ones to which africans are unable to adapt. The concept paper series is the joint centers paper series addressing topics and concepts of foremost importance for understanding the dynamics of. The most common conflict resolution approaches or mechanisms include peace negotiations, mediation andor facilitation, traditional or ineigenous methods, peace agreements and their implementations and. In the case of internal conflicts, all the three communities adopted very similar, if not identical, mechanisms, methods and procedures.
African traditional mechanisms of conflict prevention, management and resolution were largely effective and respected, and their decisions were binding on all parties, mainly because the identity of an individual is linked to that of his or her family and these families are formed by the acceptance of marriage alliances. Conflict resolution and peace buildind in africa as a. Traditional conflict resolution as a better option to. The paper notes that conflict resolution in traditional african societies provides opportunity to interact with the parties concerned, it promotes consensusbuilding, social bridge reconstructions. Conflict can be defined as a clash or disagreement often violent between opposing groups or individuals. This is because the understanding of the type of causes and actors will be a very useful tool for that purpose. Those who want their conflicts resolved must have confidence in the tribunal that would resolve the dispute.
African concepts of conflict, as well as the african methods, techniques and processes of conflict prevention, management and resolution aalae, 1994. Alternative dispute resolution techniques can strengthen dispute settlement systems and bridge the gap between formal legal systems and traditional modes of african justice. Nigeria, organised by the center for peace research and conflict resolution, national war college, abuja, september, 1998, p. Land disputes in kenya stem back from the precolonial period. Africa to bring creative african solutions to the challenges posted by conflict on the continent. Marvin nii ankrah author year 20 pages 82 catalog number v231798 file size 800 kb language english tags the organisation of african unity oau economic community of west african states ecowas conflict resolution model multisectoral approach sub. Traditional conflict resolution processes are part of a wellstructured, timeproven social system geared towards reconciliation, maintenance and improvement of social relationships. This paper examines organization of african unity, now the african unions oau mediation of burundi conflicts between 1993 and 2009 to help observers of african international relations gain a deeper understanding of lessons that can be learned from mediation by african regional organizations. The traditional approaches are conquered and usurped in the process. Pdf methods of conflict resolution in african traditional society. Pdf on sep 21, 2015, adeyemi johnson ademowo and others published conflict. Traditional methods of conflict resolution intertribal conflicts were resolved through negotiations and compromises so that peaceful relations could be restored. African communities which still hold their traditional leaders in high esteem and still use these leaders in indigenous conflict management institutions such as sharia courts to solve disputes between clans, subclans and at the rural areas where modern institutions of conflict management.
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