Sustainable Conflict Management Mechanism in Africa: Issues and Challenges for Development
Johnkennedy Tersoo Ikyase, Dr. Christopher Ikem Olisah

Abstract
Our major concern in this paper is to examine the causes of conflicts in Africa, their impacts on Africa’s development and mechanisms for resolving these conflicts. Some literatures on the subject matter were reviewed while secondary sources were used to embellish the issues therein. The structural conflict theory was adopted as our theoretical framework due to its relevance in enunciating the issues in focus. The paper contends that the continued existence of poverty cum economic crisis, corruption, ethno-religious factors, bad leadership, nonadherence to the tenets of democracy, boundary disputes and natural resource controls, are among the debilitating factors that breed conflicts in the continent. As a corollary, peace and stability have been negatively impacted upon resulting in stultified growth in development in most countries of Africa. It is therefore our further contention that to overcome these impediments, the capacity prevention, management and resolution should be strengthened through proper training and professionalization of diplomats adapt in negotiation, mediation, arbitration and implementing peace agreements as well as the establishment of early warming information and documentation centers that will facilitate data gathering and analysis and ultimately nipping in the bud incipient conflicts. The paper concludes by asserting that if all these recommendations are considered and implemented, sustainable conflict management in Africa will be enhanced.

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