Globalization and Conflict Resolution in Africa Since 20th Century

Introduction 

Globalization is a process of global economic, cultural, and political integration. It is playing an important role and has brought new opportunities for African countries such as growth and improved productivity and living standards, technological transfer, conflict resolution etc. Globalization is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon of contemporary society. Therefore, the areas of conflict and conflict resolution are also affected by this phenomenon. Conflicts are part of man’s existence; this is because disagreements among peoples are natural. The disagreement occurs in forms of revolution or war. The continent of Africa has been highly susceptible to intra and inter-state wars and conflicts. Africa’s track record of civil war, conflict and political instability has with a big measure of justification earned it the idea of a continent at war against itself. Thousands of Africans have been killed in civil wars, conflicts and uprisings in the course of the past decade. Meanwhile, Africa to date has remained a victim of all economic and political reform agenda of the European dominated world, but now consumed in what has come to be termed as globalization. This has led to a lot of conflicts in African. The effects of the global openness and the dynamics and ideological context showed in the competition among identities, the changing landscape of information flow, the new forum made by civil society and social movements, and the fight for economic resources which have created to conflicts and wars in Africa. The many conflicts which have devastated the African states from Ethiopia to Eritrea, Somalia to Kenya Liberia to Sierra Leone, the killings and conflicts of Rwanda, Burundi, and a host of others including the most recent conflicts in Dafur, Sudan are link to serious economic struggles instigated by the effect of globalization. Even though there are some negative effects because of globalization, however, the positive impacts are prevailing. While much has been written on how globalization induces conflict little has been made on how conflict and globalization interact to bring positive results. Globalization is seen as a generator of social change, and as such, may act as a cause for conflict, instigating the tensions in any given community and even creating new ones. At some time, it may also catalyze and bring conflict resolution and peace building. The relationship between the global and the local can result to unintended processes of resolution. Through bringing new means or inspiration for negotiation and dialogue among diverse parties, globalization can be a spark for peace. This work, however, evaluates the roles and effects of globalization in conflict resolution in Africa since 20th century.