1. Silencing the Guns: Strengthening Governance to Prevent, Manage, and Resolve Conflicts in Africa
- Author:
- Gilbert Khadiagala
- Publication Date:
- 05-2015
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- Since independence, African states and organizations have made significant investments in conflict management and resolution tools. So why do some African states and regions remain saddled by conflict and instability? How can African states leverage democratic governance to end wars? The new report Silencing the Guns suggests that the key to ending conflict in Africa lies in fostering effective governance and creating political and economic institutions that can effectively prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts. Author Gilbert Khadiagala unpacks how and why democratic governance is linked to conflict prevention and management, and provides an overview of landmark trends that have influenced governance in Africa since the 1950s. He shows that not all forms of democratic governance reduce conflicts and examines the ways in which “developmental dictatorships,” corruption, and the privatization of security are posing obstacles for governance and peace today.
- Topic:
- Conflict Resolution, Conflict Prevention, Democratization, and Governance
- Political Geography:
- Africa