Managing Conflicts in Africa’s Democratic Transitions

Akanmu G. Adebayo is professor of history and interim director of the Center for Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University (KSU), Kennesaw, Georgia. He was also formerly executive director of the Institute for Global Initiatives at KSU. He received his education at the University of Ife (renamed Obafemi Awolowo University) and earned his PhD in history, focusing on economic history. He is author, co-author, and co-editor of many books, and his articles have been published in many scholarly journals. His most recent publications include a co-edited book Marginality and Crisis: Globalization and Identity in Contemporary Africa (Lexington Books, 2010), and a monograph In the Sphere of the Dragon: Chinäs Economic Relations with Africa in the New Millennium (Ibadan School of History Monograph Series, 2010). In addition, he is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Global Initiatives.

The democratization process which bolstered a culture of periodic elections has also fostered election-related violent conflicts. As democratic transitions gained currency in the new millennium, orderly transitions through the ballot boxes began replacing military coups but deaths and destructions came in the wake of elections in many countries. Inspired by decades-long pro-democracy movements across Africa that culminated in the Arab Spring of 2010-2011, and motivated by the desire to find long-term solutions to election-related violent conflicts in the continent, this book explores the terrain of democratization, elections, and conflict management. It raises and answers many questions, such as: What are the root causes of election-related conflicts? How free, fair, and credible are elections in many African countries? What institutional mechanisms are available for ballot and voter security and for mandate protection? What has been the role of civil society organizations in conflict prevention and management? What are the responsibilities of the international community, especially regional organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), in conflict resolution? What indigenous mechanisms for conflict management have been identified that may be proactively engaged?

Part One: Understanding Africa's Democratization, Elections, and ConflictsChapter 1: Dreams and Nightmares: Democratization, Elections, and Conflicts in AfricaChux Ibekwe and Akanmu G. AdebayoChapter 2: Security in Post-Civil War Democratic Transitions in AfricaAbiodun Alao and Mike AdeyeyeChapter 3: Traumatics: The Representation of Trauma in Yvonne Vera's Without a NameOumar Cherif DiopPart Two: Domestic and International Issues and ActorsChapter 4: Democratization and Post-Election Conflicts in Nigeria since Independence: A Historical ReconsiderationOluwakemi Abiodun AdesinaChapter 5: Incumbency as a Factor: Appropriation of State Security Resources and Electoral Governance in Nigeria'Lai OlurodeChapter 6: Religion and Political Activism in EgyptSamy GergesChapter 7: Democratization in Senegal: The Failure of the "Sopi" RevolutionHaluk B. Bingol and Richard VengroffChapter 8: The Involution of Democracy in Lusophone West AfricaBrandon D. LundyChapter 9: Conflict Analysis of the 2007 Post-election Violence in KenyaMara J. RobertsChapter 10: The French Press and Position on Post-Election Crisis in Côte d'IvoireEdoh AgbehonouChapter 11: United States Foreign Policy Responses to Africa's Transition ConflictsAndrew EwohPart Three: Conflict Resolution OptionsChapter 12: Post-Election Conflict Resolution in Africa: Lessons from African Peace ParadigmsAbdul Karim BanguraChapter 13: An African Model? Conflict Management in Ghana's 2008 Presidential ElectionsJoseph Kingsley AdjeiChapter 14: Lessons from South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for Managing Africa's ConflictsEdward L. MienieChapter 15: Could Forgiveness and Amnesty Be a Panacea to Kenya's Post-Election Conflict Era?Joseph W. Nasongo, Lydiah L. M. Wamocha, and Judith S. K. AchokaChapter 16: Establishing Electoral Conflict Management Panels: A Case Study of South AfricaIlona TipChapter 17: Post-Electoral Conflict in la Côte d'Ivoire: Road Map to PeaceSarah O. Danso