The politics of peacemaking in Africa : non-state actors' role in the Liberian Civil War

FOR SALE IN AFRICA ONLY 'throws light on the role of several key agents in bringing to an end one of the darkest episodes in post-independence African history.' Ebenezer Obadare, University of Kansas 'Providesa solid overview and analysis of the neglected role of faith communities and the diaspora in helping to bring an end to the brutal Liberian civil war. ... clearly demonstrates just how important non-state actors were to the peaceprocess.

The book will no doubt contribute to our understanding of peacemaking and to the political and social dynamics inherent in such enterprises.' Ian Taylor, Professor in International Relations and African Political Economy,St Andrews University Until the 1990s, conflict resolution and peacemaking fell to states, the UN and other intergovernmental organizations.

In recent times it is non-armed, non-state actors who have had a pivotal role in seeking to resolve civil wars in Africa.

This book examines, for the first time, through an examination of the Liberian Civil War in particular, how non-state actors have impacted upon peace processes. The Liberian Civil War wasthe first post-Cold War intra-state conflict in West Africa and exemplified the "new wars" breaking out on the continent.

The peace process that followed showed how future peacemaking processes might evolve, being not only the first in which a regional economic grouping had a role - in this case ECOWAS - but also involving non-state religious and diaspora actors. Religious actors, initiators of the Liberian peace process, were mediators, dialogue facilitators, watchdogs and trustees of the entire peace process.

Although their efforts were mainly influenced by the desire to fulfil the divine mandate to "tend to the flock", they were also able to regain some of the societal influence that organized religion, especially Christianity, enjoyed during the 158 years of minority Americo-Liberian rule.

Diaspora actors' roles ranged from being founders and sponsors of warring factions to providing succour to Liberians back home through remittances and engaging in the peace process. Babatunde T. Afolabi is a Senior Programme Manager at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).

He had previously worked at the ECOWAS Commissionwhere he was involved in peace processes across West Africa.