Preventing Violent Conflict in Africa ― Institutions, Inequalities and Perceptions

Horizontal inequalities are root causes of violent conflict in Africa. Yet, people take actions not because of statistical data on inequalities, of which they might not be aware, but because of injustices they perceive. This volume analyses the results of original surveys with over 3,000 respondents in African cities and towns, exposing clear discrepancies between objective inequalities and people's subjective perceptions. The contributors examine experiences in country pairs and probe into the reasons why neighbouring countries, sharing common historical traits, sometimes took contrasting pathways of peace and violent conflict. Combining quantitative analysis and qualitative anatomy of historical experiences of conflict and reconciliation in Rwanda, Burundi, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, the study brings forward a set of policy recommendations for development practitioners. This work further addresses the issue of institutional choice and reveals how sustainable power-sharing and decentralisation contribute to political stability in Africa.

Yoichi Mine is Professor of Human Security and African Studies, Doshisha University, Japan, and Visiting Fellow, JICA Research Institute.

Frances Stewart is Emeritus Professor of Development Economics, Emeritus Fellow of Somerville College and Director, Centre for Research on Inequality, Human Security and Ethnicity (CRISE), University of Oxford, UK.

Sakiko Fukuda-Parr is Professor of International Affairs, The New School, USA.

Thandika Mkandawire is Professor of African Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK.