FROM WAR ECONOMIES TO PEACE ECONOMIES IN AFRICA

Abstract

One reason for the persistence and protracted nature of conflict on the
African continent is the phenomenon of war economies. These have transformed the
nature of war itself where the object is not at neutralizing an enemy but to
institutionalize violence at a profitable level of intensity. Transforming war
economies into peace economies constitute a unique challenge to post-conflict
reconstruction strategies on the African continent. This article explores these
challenges and critically examines whether the African Union (AU) and New
Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) post-conflict reconstruction
strategies meets these challenges. The article concludes with some recommendations
to policy-makers in order to ensure that this transition from war to peace economies
does indeed take place in order to ensure a more peaceful continent.