Journal of African Development

Land disputes and ethnic tensions remain deeply intertwined challenges in rural Africa. These disputes arise from historical, socio-economic, and political factors, often leading to violence, displacement, and disruption of livelihoods. This article synthesizes current scholarly insights, field evidence, and recent trends to analyze the roots, impacts, and evolving dynamics of land-related and ethnic conflicts in rural African settings. It also discusses the possible interventions and reforms needed to address and mitigate these persistent issues.

Human trafficking remains one of the most entrenched security and human rights challenges in West Africa, targeting the region’s most vulnerable populations. Despite the introduction of regional security strategies, tightening of border controls, and international partnerships, traffickers continue to circumvent the evolving landscape of checkpoints and border technology. This research article examines the magnitude and modalities of human trafficking in the region, country-level and regional responses, recent data trends, and the intersection with border control, highlighting persistent barriers and policy options.

This article examines the divergent paths of transitional justice undertaken by Rwanda and South Africa following their respective national traumas—the 1994 genocide and apartheid. Both countries have become global reference points for justice and reconciliation in post-conflict societies. Rwanda revived its traditional Gacaca courts to manage the overwhelming number of genocide-related cases, focusing on community-based justice, truth-telling, and reintegration. South Africa, on the other hand, implemented the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), emphasizing restorative justice through public testimony and conditional amnesty. Through comparative analysis, the paper evaluates the structures, outcomes, criticisms, and long-term impacts of each approach. While Rwanda’s model fostered state-led unity and processed over 1.9 million cases, it faced accusations of “victor’s justice” and procedural flaws. South Africa’s TRC became a global model for truth-telling and national healing, though challenges remain in terms of reparations and socio-economic inequality. The paper highlights how context, culture, and political will shape transitional justice outcomes, offering key insights for global efforts to reckon with mass violence and build inclusive peace.

This article critically examines the linkages between oil wealth and violent conflict, challenging the deterministic view of the “resource curse.” Drawing on global empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and case analyses of countries like Nigeria, Iraq, Libya, and Venezuela, it unpacks the complex mechanisms by which oil production—especially when onshore—exacerbates political instability, civil war, and economic inequality. The article explores how oil revenues incentivize rebellion, weaken institutions, and marginalize local populations when poorly managed. It also shows how governance quality, oil location (onshore vs. offshore), and equitable distribution act as mediators of conflict outcomes. Through detailed data analysis and case studies, the paper highlights how oil-induced conflict manifests at national and community levels, often resulting in environmental degradation, displacement, and human rights violations. The article concludes with policy recommendations emphasizing institutional reform, transparent revenue-sharing, and community inclusion as pathways to mitigate the risks associated with oil wealth and turn resource abundance into an opportunity for sustainable peace and development.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of North Africa’s evolving role as a central hub for migration and refugee flows, focusing on the latest trends observed in 2025. With over 1.3 million refugees and 353,000 asylum seekers recorded by the end of 2023, North Africa has become both a destination and a transit region for people fleeing conflict, poverty, and climate-related disasters. Libya and Egypt continue to face increasing pressure due to their geographic positioning and fragile state institutions. The paper explores the underlying drivers of migration—including economic hardship, governance failures, and climate change—while also addressing the security implications, such as the rise of smuggling networks and militarized border control policies. Moreover, it critically assesses the human rights challenges faced by migrants, especially in detention conditions and xenophobic environments. Regional governance remains fragmented, often influenced by European Union security priorities rather than human rights or development goals. The paper concludes by proposing a multi-pronged approach that includes regional cooperation, legal migration pathways, infrastructure development, and a rights-based policy shift to transform migration into an opportunity for regional stability and growth.

African women have long been central to peacebuilding efforts across the continent—acting as mediators, negotiators, community mobilizers, and advocates for reconciliation. Despite their documented successes in grassroots activism and their growing involvement in high-level diplomacy, women remain underrepresented in formal peace processes. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of women’s roles in African peacebuilding from 1992 to 2025, examining both persistent barriers and emerging opportunities. Drawing on empirical data, theoretical frameworks, and regional case studies from Burundi, Liberia, Mali, and the Gulf of Guinea, the paper highlights how women influence conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and socio-economic resilience. It explores policy mechanisms like gender quotas, advocacy networks, and regional innovations such as FemWise-Africa, while also assessing the structural challenges—patriarchy, security risks, resource gaps, and tokenism—that inhibit full inclusion. The paper concludes with actionable recommendations to institutionalize gender parity, support grassroots leadership, and close the implementation gap in African peace and security frameworks. It positions women not only as victims of conflict but as indispensable architects of sustainable peace.

The Sahel region—comprising Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger—has emerged as a focal point of violent extremism and youth radicalization in Africa. From 2015 to 2025, the region experienced a sharp escalation in militant attacks, driven by a combination of weak governance, socio-economic exclusion, climate-induced resource conflict, and demographic pressures. This article analyzes the rise of extremist groups, their tactics and recruitment patterns, and the factors making youth particularly vulnerable. It explores the multifaceted impacts on humanitarian conditions, state stability, and local economies. Drawing from regional data, field studies, and case initiatives like SAHEL-PVE, the article also evaluates policy responses—from security interventions to youth engagement and community-led prevention strategies. Emphasizing the urgent need for holistic, youth-centered, and climate-sensitive approaches, it argues that empowering the Sahel’s youth is essential to reversing the tide of extremism and achieving long-term peace and development.

This article examines the African Union’s (AU) evolving role in promoting regional security across the African continent. Since its inception in 2002, the AU has taken bold steps to position itself as the central actor in responding to Africa’s multifaceted security threats, from civil wars and insurgencies to unconstitutional changes of government. It reviews the legal and institutional foundations of the AU’s peace and security framework, including the Peace and Security Council (PSC), the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and its collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The article provides in-depth case studies of AU-led peace operations, such as in Somalia and Mali, analyzing their strengths, limitations, and impact on stabilization efforts. It further explores persistent challenges including underfunding, inconsistent political will, sovereignty concerns, and capacity gaps. As Africa faces intensified threats in 2025—ranging from military coups to climate insecurity—the paper outlines priority reforms and innovations needed to enhance AU effectiveness. In conclusion, it argues that the AU must continue to refine its peace and security architecture to uphold its vision of “African solutions for African problems,” ensuring a more resilient and responsive continental security system.

Africa has endured some of the world’s deadliest and most prolonged conflicts, leading to widespread human suffering and socio-economic collapse. In response, African nations and institutions—particularly the African Union—have developed structured post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) frameworks to promote recovery, peacebuilding, and state resilience. This paper examines the concept, phases, policy evolution, and implementation of PCRD across the continent, highlighting successes in countries like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. It explores multidimensional reconstruction pillars, such as security, governance, economic revitalization, and transitional justice, while analyzing persistent challenges including fragile political settlements, financing gaps, and exclusion of marginalized groups. The paper also outlines contemporary innovations such as diaspora engagement, digital monitoring tools, and environmental peacebuilding strategies. With an emphasis on local ownership, coordination, and sustainability, this study underscores the dynamic, context-sensitive nature of post-conflict recovery in Africa and provides policy insights for long-term peace and development.

As Africa's extractive industries gain prominence on the global stage, the need for robust local content policies (LCPs) has intensified. These policies are designed to ensure that the benefits of oil, gas, and mining operations translate into long-term value for local economies, communities, and businesses. This article examines the evolution, achievements, and challenges of local content policies in African extractive industries, highlighting regional case studies, current trends, and pathways to effective, inclusive development.