Re-empowering African Indigenous Peacemaking Approaches: Identifying the Enabling Possibilities from Decolonization and Indigenization Discourses

Abstract

There is increasing knowledge production on the flaws and failure of the dominant liberal peace-building paradigm and the imperative of mainstreaming indigenous peacemaking wisdom. The fundamental goal of this emerging knowledge is to establish positive peace, which connotes no war, no violence, especially in Africa. In this light, research, practice, and policy communities have posited for the “return to the local”, that is, recourse to African indigenous peacemaking approaches, as a viable alternative strategy. What is, however, missing is the discourse on how to return or mainstream the indigenous approaches. To fill the void, this chapter has suggestively enumerated some relevant factors and argues that they can facilitate the mainstreaming of the indigenous peacemaking approaches and the advancement of peace in Africa. The chapter also highlights some significant preconditions which African and non-African policymakers can use to support and advance the mainstreaming project.