“Contemporary Africa is faced with the reality of numerous evolving states that have to grapple with the inevitability of conflict. On their own, the fledgling institutions in these states cannot cope with the huge demands unleashed by everyday conflict. A key objective of this monograph is to examine the influence and impact of traditional systems on modern structures of governance and conflict resolution. Chapter 1 throws the spotlight on conflict resolution among the Baganda in Uganda by analysing practices under the Ekika System. Chapter 2 analyses a uniquely Rwandan approach to local justice known as abunzi mediation. Chapter 3 discusses the case of Afar in Ethiopia. It presents a gamut of actors in traditional conflict resolution and their complementary roles. Chapter 4 focuses on Darfur. It pays attention to the role of the traditional legal system known as the judiyya in addressing lower level offences that were committed during the war in Darfur. Chapter 5 also explores the role of indigenous processes but from an environmental management dimension. Basing the analysis on the climate change adaptation framework and resource scarcity thesis, the chapter investigates the role of traditional mechanisms of conflict transformation in dealing with farmer-pastoralist disputes.”
