Browsing by Author "Ramadhani, Lupa"

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    Civil society and the pursuit of peace: the dynamics of conflict transformation in Zanzibar
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2012) Ramadhani, Lupa
    This thesis uses the Zanzibar case to analyze the role of civil society organiza¬tions in conflict transformation in divided societies. Developing and adapting ideas from traditional conflict resolution approaches, the thesis shows that conflict transformation, as opposed to conflict resolution and conflict manage¬ment, deepens sustainability of peace in divided societies. It outlines a theo¬retical framework for understanding the evolution of the relationship between the state, conflict and civil society. The thesis reviews the post-1990s elections in Zanzibar to explain why the same party system that reflects conventional political differences in Mainland Tanzania is associated with deep political divi¬sions in Zanzibar. On deeper analysis, what appears as merely post-electoral rioting has in fact most of the characteristics of deep-set conflict. The political divisions are superimposed on deeper racial/ethnic divisions embedded in terri¬torially-defined horizontal inequalities (political and economic). These in turn have resonances with very brutal periods in Zanzibar and African history (par¬ticularly the slave trade). The thesis traces the roots of identity construction and change, arguing that, although frequently overlooked by analysts of Zanzi¬bar politics, identity and the politics of belonging are crucial to conflict trans-formation in Zanzibar. Therefore, the dynamics of identity construction and identity change are systematically studied in Zanzibar in exploring the nuances and machinations of the working of the state, in the light of the former region¬al and global strategic importance of Zanzibar, and how its decline informs the conflict. The results are in line with observations of theorists of social capital: the more the state suppresses the civil society organizations, the higher the levels of societal tensions and the higher the potential for conflict. As such, part of the failure of peace agreements in Zanzibar is directly related to failure to articulate society as an integral part of the process.
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    The utility of mediators in conflict resolution in Africa: a case of Burundi peace talks.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2002) Ramadhani, Lupa
    Conflicts are becoming a defining feature of African politics as well as African international relations. The end of cold war brought with it a shifting attention of African affairs by the international community at large and the superpowers in particular. Perhaps for this reason conflicts in Rwanda and Burundi were left to degenerate into deadly scales in the early 1990s. The increased importance of Africa getting highly involved in its own affairs was seriously being felt following 'Afro-pessimism' that preceded the cold war. The Burundi Peace Talks have set a precedent on future involvement of Africa in the resolution of its conflicts. While the Burundi Peace Talks received worldwide support, the initiative, management and ideation behind resolution was African. The signing of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi on 28 August 2000 marked a significant stage of success both to mediators as well as to the region in their effort towards conflict resolution in Burundi. With the continued unwavering support of the international community to the search for peace in Burundi, there is increased hope for the final settlement of the conflict. This study makes a suggestion that the model of conflict resolution in Burundi of involving prominent Africans as mediators in conflict resolution, with a close backing of the region should be replicated to other parts of Africa that are rife with conflicts: The Sudan, Angola, Liberia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra-Leone.