The position of African traditional religion in conflict prevention

Abstract

African (Traditional) and modern religions may offer African solutions to many problems of conflict in the region of Africa. This article builds a case for the use of some African religious values in modern conflict prevention, mitigation and response in Africa (CPMR). One of the burning moral issues in Africa is that of conflicts. The contemporary multi-ethnic states have not yet succeeded in creating a pluralistic and homogeneous state that is able to overcome inter-group rivalry and conflicts. Rather than the utopian idea of peaceful co-existence dubbed the "global village" that was anticipated with the end of the Cold War, the latter part of the Twentieth Century is witnessing conflicts and divisions within nations and ethnic groups. This article endeavours to come to grips with the roots, meanings and ramifications of the conflicts among the African communities in a bid to find effective strategies of averting them in Africa. By so doing, an attempt has been made to explore the unifying aspects of African religion by giving due regard to religion-cultural values that can be revitalized, enriched and implemented to redress the predicament of CPMR in Africa.