Linking Armed Conflict, Peace and Development in Africa: The ChangingCharacter

Sesan A. Peter, PhD
Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies,
University of Jos. Plateau State, Nigeria
Email: sesanpee@yahoo.com
&
Dinshak Luka, PhD
Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies,
University of Jos. Plateau State, Nigeria
Email: dinshakluka@gmail.com
Abstract
Conflict in Africa has been an intractable one especially from the period of
struggling for independence and the post independent era. The nature of the
conflict was predominantly inter-state, but today it has become intra state in
nature which has confirmed the arrival of new wars. These wars of armed
conflict have not allowed development to be seen in Africa compared to what
is obtainable in Europe. The conflict of underdevelopment has led to the
current insurgency currently ravaging the Sahel and other parts of Africa. The
new wars have devised means of armed conflict using what is now known as
remote violence where violence can take place without the physical presence of
the actors. This has changed the dimension of the armed conflict in Africa. This
has further widened the existing challenge of violent conflict to the frontline of
aid and humanitarian intervention and assistance. This study adopted
qualitative research using content analysis to analysis the data collected. The
study found that lack of commitment on the part of African leaders has been
the main issue confronting meaningful development and this has caused
poverty and other vices. The study recommends among other things those
home-grown policies should be adopted both for economic and conflict