Chapter 1: Introduction: The Socio-Cultural Bases of Conflict, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Africa

This series focuses on the interface between indigenous culture and conflict resolution and peacebuilding. African culture, viewed as knowledge, practices and institutions, does not form a large part of the tools and mechanisms for resolving conflict and building peace in Africa. This is due to the prominence of external initiatives of conflict resolution and peace initiatives based on liberal values of democracy and capitalism, and institutions including the United Nations system of organizations and Western donor governments. The continent needs effective approaches to resolve conflict and create peace in parts of Africa mired in continued violence. Culture is seen as a very useful approach as it does not only identify the sources of conflict in terms of groups holding steadfast to their ethnicity, but also offers effective solutions as culture determines how groups perceive conflict and its resolution (Avruch, 1998; Avruch and Black quoted in Culture & Conflict Resolution, 2008; Lederach, quoted in Culture & Conflict Resolution, 2008). Therefore, there is need to integrate mainstream culture in conflict mechanisms, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in the African context if durable peace and security are to be realized. This would pave the way for both state and human security, and provide the necessary environment within which socio-economic development could take place..