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Mediating Solutions to Territorial Civil Wars in Africa: Norms, Interests, and Major Power Leverage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2018

Allard Duursma
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Abstract:

This article draws on the concept of “identity interests” to explain why commitment to the territorial integrity norm in the context of African peace processes has persisted over such a long period of time, even as continental and international contexts have changed. One major implication of this commitment to the territorial integrity norm is that third parties involved in peacemaking in Africa have consistently refrained from promoting a negotiated settlement that might pave the way for independence; they have only pushed for a territorial revision in a few instances. The role of major powers has been crucial with regard to the few successful territorial changes in Africa since 1960. An overview of all outcomes of mediation in territorial intrastate conflicts in Africa—as well as seven case studies—support this argument.

Résumé:

Cet article s’appuie sur le concept des « intérêts identitaires » pour expliquer pourquoi l’engagement avec la norme sur l’intégrité territoriale dans le cadre des processus de paix africains a persisté pendant une période si longue - même si les contextes continentaux et internationaux ont changé. Une des implications majeures de cet engagement à la norme sur l’intégrité territoriale abordée dans cet article, est que les tiers impliqués dans le rétablissement de la paix en Afrique se sont constamment abstenus de promouvoir un accord de règlement qui aurait pu ouvrir une voie vers l’indépendance ; dans certains cas ils n’ont seulement poussé que pour une révision territoriale. Cette étude soutient également que le rôle de grandes puissances a été décisif dans certains changements territoriaux réussis en Afrique depuis 1960. Un récapitulatif des aboutissements de la médiation dans les conflits territoriaux interétatiques en Afrique ainsi que sept études de cas soutien cet thèse.

Resumo:

Partindo do conceito de “interesses de identidade”, este artigo procura explicar os motivos pelos quais a defesa do princípio da integridade territorial perdurou por tão longo tempo no contexto dos processos de paz em África — prevalecendo mesmo quando os contextos continentais e internacionais se alteraram. Uma das principais consequências desta defesa do princípio da integridade territorial, sobre a qual o presente artigo se debruça, é que as terceiras partes envolvidas nos processos de paz em África sempre se abstiveram de promover a negociação de acordos que pudessem abrir caminho à independência; só em algumas instâncias, procuraram implementar a revisão dos territórios. Além disso, defende-se que o papel desempenhado pelas grandes potências foi determinante para os poucos casos bem-sucedidos de alteração territorial ocorridos em África desde 1960. A sustentar esta argumentação, apresenta-se resumidamente o desfecho de todos os casos de mediação em conflitos territoriais dentro de Estados africanos, bem como sete estudos de caso.

Keywords

mediationcivil warterritoryterritorial integritynormsinterestsmajor power leverage
Type
Article
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 62 , Issue 3 , September 2019 , pp. 65 - 88
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2018 

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