Towards An Enduring Peace In Africa: Revisiting Preventive Capacity And Non-Military Tools For Resolution

The rise of endemic armed conflict has become an integral part of contemporary global trends, with grave implications for both developed and developing countries. Perhaps, until lately, no other region has been affected by armed conflict in recent times than the Africa continent, where such conflict has continued to drain scarce resources and undermine growth and accelerated development. In recognition of these challenges, the African Union (AU) efforts thus far have yielded some progress towards ensuring greater peace and security in Africa. However, despite the modest achievements recorded thus far. AU appears to have consistently prioritized reaction over prevention. Often this reaction has been somewhat 'too little too late'. Reactive military measures are necessary to prevent further loss of lives in emergencies, but even at their most successful can only control a situation not resolve it. Increasing investment in other tools, such as regional capacity to manage conflicts, mediation and peace- building, is needed to ensure existing conflict are resolved as well as future ones prevented. Without such investment, the demand for reactive measure such as military intervention can increase. In view of this realization, this paper articulates a comprehensive policy framework which includes, among others, the need for Africans to take primary responsibility for resolving conflicts in Africa, while developed nations should take responsibility of tackling the negative impact of their participation in trade in small arms and conflict resources which have contributed immensely to Africa's instability. Also, in order to improve post-conflict peace building, long term and predictable grant financing sufficient to meet the reconstruction need of post-conflict should be provided through the collaborative efforts of Africans themselves as well as international donors