Conflicts in Africa have a lot in common with conflicts in the former Soviet Union, yet the international community fails to give these conflicts equal attention, notes Institute board chairman Chester A. Crocker, a specialist on African affairs. In the formerly colonized societies where these conflicts are breaking out, the rules for civil society are not yet clear enough or strong enough to control power, he says, so that "the men with the guns--or the boys with the guns, as the case may be--have a lot of clout. The only thing that's different about African conflicts is our general societal distance from them and ignorance of them."
Crocker chaired a workshop on "Future Engagement with Africa: Opportunities and Obstacles," held at the Institute on April 22. About 30 African specialists attended the event, which was organized by David R. Smock, director of the Grant Program and head of the Institute's Africa activities. The Institute has paid special attention in recent years to Somalia, Sudan, Mozambique, South Africa, Angola, Zaire, Burundi, Rwanda, and Liberia, Smock noted. "Given the rapidly changing situations in these and other African countries, we want to consider current opportunities and obstacles for U.S. institutions, both governmental and nongovernmental, to promote peace in Africa," he said.
Presentations of case studies on Nigeria, Sudan, Angola, Burundi, and Liberia were followed by discussion of the role of NGOs in promoting peace, the role of the Organization of African Unity in conflict management, and U.S. policy, among other issues. Several participants noted that, since the Cold War is over, the international community is less willing to commit the necessary resources to bring peace to troubled areas of Africa. "When it comes to resources from whatever source--the United States, foreign governments, the UN, regional organizations--the resources for the most part aren't there," said one participant. Others said that in this vacuum, the NGO community will have to work even harder than in the past to build public support for aid to Africa, arguing for aid on the basis of humanitarian values rather than strategic concerns.
© 1996 United States Insitute of Peace
