An Investigation into the Prevalent Types of Conflicts, Conflict Indicators, The Role Played by These Indicators and How Conflict Undermines the Management of Disasters in Africa.

Abstract

This study sort to identify the prevalent types of conflict and causes, conflict indicators, the role played by these indicators and how conflict undermines Disaster Management activities in Africa.The historical method of data collection was used. Data collected was secondary. Collection involved the researcher visiting various web sites on the internet and various published works, which had information on conflicts in Africa.The study population comprised of 52 African countries. The period covered by the research was January 2007 to April 2009.The results show an identification of the following six types of conflict, armed conflict (divided into major, intermediate and minor), border disputes, food riots, political violence, targeted attacks and inter-communal strife. Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya were quantitatively identified as high conflict areas in the continent. Armed conflict came out as the high priority conflict type that needed urgent attention. Various types of conflict indicators were identified and their role was explained as that of providing early warning to conflict. Conflict was seen as undermining disaster management activities through retarding, stopping and stalling many developmental processes.The study recommended various ways to deal with conflicts, all directed towards the search for peace and security that requires the mobilization, coordination and cooperation of all states, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society, community leaders, the community and others to participate in efforts of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.

Key words: Conflict, indicators, disaster.