John Paul Lederach Published by: United States Institute of Peace (USIP), USA, 1997 ISBN: 10: 1878379739 13: 978-1878379733

Reviewed by: Venashri Pillay
In Conflict Trends Issue 1 of 2006

John Paul Lederach, a seminal figure in the academic and practical field of conflict resolution, provides foundational and important ideas and strategies for peace-building and reconciliation in his book, Building Peace: Sustainable Reconciliation in Divided Societies. The innovative ideas and practical suggestions for building peace in deeply divided societies are timeless and applicable across various conflict contexts and cultures. The book emphasizes the need to move beyond traditional diplomacy with top-level leaders and short-term objectives to holistic and integrated approaches emphasising multiple levels of actors, long-term objectives, and the healing of relationships and people. An integrated framework for sustained peace-building and reconciliation is thus provided.

Edited by Ibrahim Abdullah, Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa. Published by: UNISA Press, 2004 ISBN: 10: 2869781237 13: 978-2869781238

Reviewed by: Kemi Ogunsanya, Conflict Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Advisor at ACCORD.
In Conflict Trends Issue 1 of 2005

The new conflict paradigm has challenged conventional conceptions of modern warfare, characterised by an increase in the number and complexity of violent conflicts. What defines these conflicts is their intra-state nature and the most striking feature of these conflicts has been their impact on civilians, who have been both perpetrators and victims. In the background one is faced with the break- down of the state with vast human rights abuses, abject poverty and other social ills. This was the classic case scenario in Sierra Leone.

Edited by D.S. Gordon and F.H. Toase Published by: London: Frank Cass, 2001 ISBN: 10: 0714650404 13: 978-0714650401

Reviewed by: C. De Coning
In Conflict Trends Issue 1 of 2004

One of the defining characteristics of complex peace operations is their multi-dimensional nature. They combine conflict prevention; peace making; security operations; humanitarian relief and reconstruction activities; transitional justice and rule of law programmes; human rights monitoring and education; political transition support and institution building, in a complex and multi-layered peacebuilding response matrix that is intended to build momentum towards peace across the whole conflict spectrum.

Eddy Maloka and Elizabeth le Roux Published by: Africa Institute: Pretoria, 2001 ISBN: 9780798301459

Reviewed by: By Senzo Ngubane
In Conflict Trends Issue 1 of 2002

African development has become the subject of much debate and discourse since the dawn of the new millennium. Much of the discourse has focused on establishing what the critical issues are that face Africa in this new era - what needs to be done to rid Africa of most (if not all) her problems in order to change the status that this continent acquired during the previous century. These seem to be appropriate questions, particularly since the new epoch has been declared an African century! The new millennium is viewed as an opportunity for Africa to enjoy a new lease of life; to advance like all the other continents. This, how- ever, will only be possible once appropriate programmes are put in place. In addition, such programmes could not be conceived without an accurate diagnosis of Africa’s challenges, and its prospects to overcome such challenges.

Griffith, Allen (Allan Griffith, who had been Foreign Policy Adviser to Australian prime ministers or over 30 years, completed this book as visiting fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, shortly before his death in November 1998)
Published by: New Cherwell Press, Oxford, 1998
ISBN 10: 1900312158 /13: 978-1900312158

Reviewed by: Jannie Malan
In the African Journal on Conflict Resolution Volume 1 No. 1, 1999

The conjunction in the title of this book has not just been inserted as an attentioncatching novelty. The book is indeed about both conflict and resolution. In each of the three case studies it is not only the peace process that is described and discussed, but also the preceding conflict process. The serious cause and urgent purpose of each of the conflicts are taken into consideration. The actions and reactions of the involved people and leaders are related in a clear and well-documented way. The extended and complicated series of happenings are organised into insight-promoting units. The author makes very good use of his skills of selecting details and choosing descriptive as well as thought-prompting words. Enough detail is included to give the reader a penetrating sense of what happened. Apposite key words appear in chapter and section headings.