Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development in Africa Concepts, role-players, policy and practice

Some of the bloodiest conflicts occurred on the African continent. An Afrocentric perspective is therefore a suitable starting point for research into the possible strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding.The authors of this book consider the problems around the concept of "post-conflict" and the blurring of military and civilian roles, analyzing the UN roles in the DRC and Sierra Leone, as well as the African Union Mission in Burundi. The main context of the book, however, is the South African Army’s strategy for PCRD in Africa, which has been developed with the African Union’s 2006 Post-Conflict, Reconstruction and Development Needs Assessment Guide in mind. This book emanates from this plan. It therefore also explores South Africa’s policy imperatives to integrate development projects and peace missions, involving the military as well as civilian organizations. While this book is not intended as an instruction manual, it hopes to ignite an understanding of the particular processes required to develop a sustainable and cohesive post-conflict peacebuilding strategy within the African environment.

Theo Neethling is Professor and Head of the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the University of the Free State. He is widely published in accredited academic journals and currently serves on the editorial board of Scientia Militaria: South African Journal of Military Studies and the Journal of Contemporary History.