Cambridge Scholars Publishing Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Lessons and Opportunities

This publication is the product of the 25th Annual Africa and Diaspora Conference in 2016, organized by the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento, on the theme of “Peace and Conflict Resolution in Africa 25 Years Later: Lessons, Best Practices and Opportunities”. It brings together reflections on both historical and contemporary or recurring conflicts in Africa, especially on issues of ethno-religious conflicts, corruption, land, and leadership. The chapters include case studies and some theoretical perspectives on the persistent search for the right size and scope of visioning and programming on peace and conflict resolution in Africa. Understandably, this collection of ideas, thoughts and proposals will resonate with the field of Peace and Conflict Studies. Arguably, Africa is “rising” in the 21st century, with declining violent conflicts and an increase in stable democracies and economies. However, there are still the significant challenges of extremism, climate change, poor governance, ineffective leadership, widening wealth gaps, and weak institutions of moderation. The essays collected here also document areas of progress in legitimizing democracy and conceptualizing social justice, and suggest the need for building the next generation of peace leaders in Africa. About the Author Ernest E. Uwazie is Professor and Chair of Criminal Justice and Director and Founder of the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). He holds a PhD in Justice Studies from Arizona State University, Tempe, specializing in African legal pluralism and conflict resolution. He is a renowned Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scholar, trainer, practitioner, and designer, with extensive research and fieldwork experience in Africa. In 2010, he received the CSUS Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award and the JAMS Foundation Judge Warren Knight Award for promoting peace in Africa and around the world. He has published extensively in the area of ADR and peace education in Africa, and several professional presentations on restorative justice and social justice. He is a Fellow of the Society of Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP)-Nigeria, and is currently working on a new advanced conflict resolution training program for building the next generation of peace leaders in Africa, titled Africa Peace Fellows.