“This is a very well written and detailed book about conflict resolution wisdom in Africa. It begins its narratives with a detailed but concise narration of African history and then gradually moves on towards modern times. It focuses very well on the issue of conflict by discussing the issue from a social context approach. It looks at how conflicts are normally addressed in the environment where they are emerging or have emerged. Talking may start informally within the families or neighbourhoods concerned. It also looks at how members of society, i.e. elders of both genders, may make meaningful contributions to preventing conflicts. Another constructive way of preventing and counteracting conflict is to promote
socio-economic development. Africa’s experience of imposed, foreign types of development has led to an important change of perspectives. A home-grown version of people-centred development is being advocated, and is apparently gaining support. People-centred perspectives have wisely been introduced into the area of ethnicity as well. When, recently,
various subdued and dormant ethnic aspirations were revived, all sorts of linguistic, cultural and ethnic agendas were widely accepted and emotionally pursued.”
