dc.description.abstract | For a long time, Africa has been saddled and bogged down by intermittent conflicts both
within and between its states. From Algeria to Sierra Leone, Liberia to Sudan, the Horn,
East and Central Africa and the Great Lakes Region armed conflicts are increasing and
are almost exclusively within rather than between states. Even countries that were once
regarded as island of peace and tranquility such as Ivory Coast have fallen victims of the
escalating armed conflicts in Africa. In these conflict scenarios, poorer and more
marginalized people are the principal victims rather than members of the armed forces. In
addition to death and wanton destruction that it brings in its wake, the conflicts also
contribute to displacement and disruption oflivelihoods of the poor people.
Grassroots leadership has been largely ignored, but ordinary individuals in the
community continue to playa role in addressing conflicts on a daily basis. How can this
valuable resource and knowledge be shared with others? Sustainable peace requires
exploration of indigenous conflict resolution processes traditionally used by communities
who have experienced conflict and warfare, and are rebuilding their country. Cultural
identity and traditional values are reflected in these traditional methods. With a focus on
the Mijikenda people of the Kenya Coast, the paper will identify traditional conflict
resolution methods that were used by the Mijikenda people and discuss how they can be
effectively used to resolve conflicts at home, work and community. The cultural diversity
among the nine tribes of the Mijikenda community makes it an excellent case study to
examine appropriate methods of conflict resolution, and their increasing importance in
addressing cross-cultural conflicts.
This paper also discusses the issue of Communication and conflict, and more intensively
the indigenous mechanisms of conflict resolution in Africa. It also looks at the role
played by traditional communications in conflict resolution and the use of effective
communication in conflict resolution. On the basis of this discussion, a number of
conclusions and recommendations are proposed on issues about communication and
conflict, specifically on the use of indigenous methods of conflict resolution. | en |