ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a conceptual framework for understanding conflict, peace and crisis. It argues that violence may be a central concern from a humanitarian perspective, but that for analytical and strategic purposes, it should be regarded as a symptom of intrastate crises. These crises arise from four structural conditions in particular: authoritarian rule; the exclusion of minorities from governance; socio-economic deprivation combined with inequity; and weak states that lack the institutional capacity to manage normal political and social conflict. The chapter considers the strategic implications of the argument, and outlines several propositions relating to peace-making and peace-building in Africa. The argument is illustrated mainly with examples from South Africa and from the Zairean rebellion of 1996. The international community’s efforts to stem and reverse the tide of war in Africa derive in large measure from humanitarian concerns about massive human suffering, especially when the ‘drama’ of war is depicted graphically by CNN and other media.