The Prairie Fire that Burned Mogadishu
A new occasional paper by Alex de Waal, as part of the Conflict Research Programme.
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Africa
The Emerging Global Order, Multilateralism and Africa
In a new occasional paper, Alex de Waal argues that Africa, as a weak continent, has much to gain from multilateralism, and especially from its stronger more normative versions.
Read morePartnering to make peace: The effect of joint African and non-African mediation efforts’
This article systematically examines the varying effectiveness of African and non-African third parties in mediating civil wars in Africa. Drawing on data from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, supplemented with unique data on mediation efforts, which together cover all mediation efforts in civil wars in Africa between 1960 and 2012, this article presents quantitative evidence supporting the effectiveness of African third parties. Compared to non-African third parties, African third parties are far more likely to conclude peace agreements and these peace agreements are more likely to be durable. Most effective, however, are mixed mediation efforts in which there is coordination between African and non-African third parties, but in which African third parties take the lead. The phrase, ‘African solutions to African challenges’ should thus be understood as a division of labour and responsibilities, rather than an excuse for non-African third parties to ignore Africa’s problems or African third parties acting on their own.
Read moreInclusion in Peacekeeping
There is an international norm of inclusion in peace processes and political settlements. This is recent. Twenty years ago, the participation of unarmed political parties, civil society actors and women, was only a moral principle and an aspiration, disputed by political elites and questioned by conflict mediators. Today it has become a norm of international political practice, in the sense that people in conflict-affected countries demand inclusion, the international sponsors of peace processes seek it, and protagonists in conflicts tactically call upon it, occasionally to good effect. Inclusion is not law. It is still contested, but its challengers are in retreat. This paper examines what has occurred.
Read moreTen Lessons from Africa’s Struggle for Rights and Democracy
Most adult Africans have, at one point in their lifetime, woken up to martial music on the radio, an unfamiliar
Read moreThe danger of a single story on the contested transition in The Gambia
The current crisis in The Gambia has a simple story. On 1 December 2016 presidential elections were held in the
Read moreVirtual issue of African Affairs on South Sudan
Alex de Waal has a new essay introducing African Affairs‘ virtual issue on South Sudan. As the journal’s editors explain,
Read moreNew Report Outlines a “Political Agenda for Peace” in Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – July 21,2016 – The World Peace Foundation has outlined a bold new vision for the African
Read moreBrexit is Bad News for Africa. Period.
But perhaps the biggest blow to Africa from the Brexit comes in the least tangible sphere of international political culture. As the weakest continent, Africa has the most to gain from the principles of multilateralism — collective security, international cooperation, and respect for international law. The continent achieves its best outcomes for democracy and human rights, and for peace and security, when its governments collaborate in the African Union and regional economic communities, and when they work in partnership with the United Nations and the European Union.
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How to chose the next AU Chairperson
In the next few months, the African Union is set to choose its next Chairperson: the woman or man who
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