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AFRICAN TRADITIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE 
These are known by various names, i.e. Endogenous methods, Indigenous knowledge 
systems Local mechanisms, they are developed around specific conditions of populations and 
communities indigenous to a particular geographic area; according to Accord 2011. 
Examples of African Traditional Conflict Resolution And Peace 
Gacaca courts- Rwanda 
Abunzi -RwandaThe kotgla- Botswana 
The Dare- Zimbabwe 
Mato oput- Northern Uganda 
Bashingantahe- Burundi The shrine ofTiru Sina- Ethiopia 
Gadaa- Oromo, Ethiopia 
Ukuzidla in South Africa 
Why African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace? 
Gaps in modem systems 0 Western methods have not been able to effectively address all cases of 
conflict; Modem methods sometimes contradict cultural values and priorities in Africa; 
Inadequate resources and capacity by modern conflict resolution 

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The Nature of African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace 
Homegrown and Endogenous. 
They are homegrown and endogenous methods that are specific to the African context African 
solutions to African problems 
Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms allow us to put into practice the African Renaissance. 
The Nature of African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace 
Restorative vs. Punitive 
Emphasis in on restoration, forgiveness and reconciliation instead of punishment; Gacaca courts 
in Rwanda, for example, have tried cases of genocide leading to transitional justice; 0 Similarly, 
the ritual mato oput, has been used to reconcile former LRA fighters with the community in 
Northern Uganda 
The Nature of African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace
 
Emphasis on inter-connectedness (Ubuntu) 
Use of traditional methods for conflict resolution reflects humanity's interconnectedness; 
Ubuntu (I am because we are) 
The Nature of African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace 
People to people peace building 
With traditional mechanisms, it is the community which is involved; 
A typical example of citizen diplomacy 
Facilitates local ownership of the peace that is created 
The Nature of African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace 
Expedient and pragmatic 
Traditional methods are less costly and more effective 
Gacaca courts tried more than 1.3 million cases of genocide since 2001 
The same number of cases would have taken Rwanda's modern courts more than 3 decades; 
Rwanda also uses local mediators known as abunzi to handle small disputes - which reduces 
backlogs in primary courts ACCORD has five offices in Burundi mediating land disputes. 
The Case for African Traditional Conflict Resolution and Peace 
Traditional Mechanisms have existed for generations 
They are part of the Africa culture and values; 
Culture creates a common ground; 

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People respect these institutions of conflict resolution because they espouse common value. 
(Accord 2011). 

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