Traditional Cures for Modern Conflicts, African Conflict 'Medicine'. William I. Zartman (ed.). Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2000. Pp. 230.

Even though international agencies, governments, and private organizations have entered the 'business' of conflict resolution in ever increasing numbers, it is clear that most interventions in African conflicts have done little to prevent the continent from taking the debilitating course it has traversed over the last decade. The failure of these attempts demonstrates the need for more creative approaches to conflict resolution. The renewed interest in traditional techniques for settling conflicts can be seen in this light. Osaghae argues in the volume that the implementation of 'African' approaches is important, since it allows Africans to be both the authors and the owners of the resolutions, which are still all too often imposed from the outside without local input or taking account of the unique characteristics of a particular situation (chapter 13). For practitioners in the fields of conflict management, peace brokering and reconciliation, however, the book does not, fortunately, provide easy answers or quick fix solutions to the range of clashes that have plunged large parts of Africa into deep crisis. On the contrary, no attempt is made to side step the difficult questions, complexities or contradictions inherent in conflict resolution processes ongoing in Africa. Additionally, the contributors avoid romanticizing about pre-colonial societies existing in a perpetual utopian harmony and there are no unrealistic expectations about the possibilities of implementing or re-inventing traditional practices within a modern order.

The introduction and conclusion written by Zartman are both well thought out and presented clearly. The introduction focuses on a variety of topics, including the methodological problems associated with such complex issues as conceptualising 'tradition' and weighs in on the 'cultural relativism' versus 'human universalism' dichotomy. Zartman argues that traditions are cultural practices, which are not imported and continue to be practiced and reproduced. The authors equally acknowledge the dynamic and 'invented' character of traditions. However, while many others have considered this dimension problematic, here, the fluidity of tradition is presented as an advantage, since it leaves open the possibility of re-invention with a view to positive change.

In his introduction, Zartman stresses the heterogeneity of Africa, and thus concedes that the extent to which the selected case studies are representative for the whole of Africa remains doubtful. Rather than attempt the quite difficult task of making generalized statements about 'African' conflict, the authors distinguish between conflicts within the system (either between members of the society or challenging the hierarchy) or between systems. In the first section, a variety of cases, concentrating on conflict management in traditional societies are discussed. Unfortunately, echoing Zartman's introductory comments, Central Africa, which is currently experiencing numerous and complex instances of war and conflict, is not among the regions represented. Although one could criticize this omission, it is unreasonable to expect all regions to be covered in a single volume. A recurring theme that appears throughout the first part of the book, is the issue of land (e.g. chapters 3 deals with cross border migration between Togo and Ghana and 4 examines pastoral populations). Since land related problems seem to lay at the core of a wide variety of conflicts throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the essays in this section are very relevant to events currently ongoing. The authors question how traditional conflict settlement can function when conditions have changed so dramatically, due to factors such as increased pressure on land, the introduction of new actors on the scene (e.g. the state), and the emergence of new patterns of migration. Part two of the book deals with similar issues but in a non-African context. However, given the fact that so many issues and regions of Africa have remained untouched in this volume, it is questionable whether these excursions to Lebanon, Cleveland and China were necessary at the expense of further analysis of the African situation.

Part three provides concrete examples of the application of traditional techniques in a modern context, including Ubuntu, which is a traditional philosophy of governance found in South Africa (chapter 11) and the involvement of traditional actors in Somalia (chapter 12). The concluding chapters by Osaghae (chapter 13) and Zartman (chapter 14) attempt to synthesize the arguments presented in the volume in search of both the realistic options and limits of traditional conflict management techniques for dealing with (post)modern conflicts in Africa. For readers who are not immediately familiar with any of the case studies, these last two chapters may well provide the most insightful reading. Osaghae identifies similarities within the traditional methods presented in the different case studies and concludes that traditional conflict settlement is largely directed towards re-integration. Many techniques, although highly localised and varied, contends Osaghae, could be integrated within modern negotiation and diplomacy strategies. However, the main obstacle to this approach is the fact that the moral order which underpins re-integration, has been smashed by modern conflicts and along with it, the common ground upon which peace can be rebuilt. While Osaghae believes that common ground is something that can be re-constructed, Zartman is less optimistic. "It is the third category of conflicts that eludes the experience of African conflict management, the conflicts against the community…. Yet this is the type of conflict that is most prevalent at the present time (p.227)."

This volume provides an interesting contribution to the debate on conflict management in Africa and makes a sound analysis of the possible value of indigenous conflict settlement practices. However, it makes clear that much more research and refining of our analytical tools must occur before the implementation of such techniques will make a practical difference.

Saskia Van Hoyweghen
Vice President Brussels Centre of African Studies (BCAS)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

REFERENCES

Van Hoyweghen, S. & Smis, S., "The Re-establishment of the Traditional Gacaca Jurisdiction in Rwanda: A Step Forward to Reconciliation?," African Studies Association of the UK, Biennal Conference, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, 11-13 September 2000.

Ruddy Doom, "Changing Identities, Violent Conflict and the World System," in Ruddy Doom and Jan Gorus (eds.) Politics of Identity & Economics of Conflict in the Great Lakes Region. Brussels: VUB Press, 2000. p.15-91.