During the last two decades of the 20th century,
28 sub-Saharan African countries were engaged in violent conflict.
In Rwanda, alone, approximately 800,000 people died as a result
of genocide in 1994; and an estimated 4.7 million died during
the last decade of the 20th century in the war in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. Millions of non-combatants – women,
children, the elderly, the disabled, and the poor – were
killed in other African conflicts during the last century. Little
scholarly research and analysis has been done to explore the
different approaches that are being employed in Africa to foster
reconciliation. In the African context, what is the potential
for reconciliation? How has reconciliation been used to bridge
historical and cultural divisions? How can reconciliation best
be promoted and contribute to sustainable peace and democracy–building?
What are its limits?
This guide provides a selected sampling of online information
resources dealing with reconciliation processes in the African
nations. The annotated set of resources listed includes information
on country-specific case examples of current reconciliation initiatives;
primary documents from truth and reconciliation commissions;
conference proceedings, scholarly articles, and reports issued
by major government, international, and civil society organizations
(particularly interfaith, community, and women’s organizations).
Also included are references to electronic bibliographies and
research tools, electronic journals, and electronic discussion
groups addressing issues central to the subject of reconciliation.
This portal guide is an ongoing project to
provide an irregular series of online reference and finding aids
covering key Africa policy issues.
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Mpatapo
"knot of pacification/reconciliation"
Symbol of reconciliation, peacemaking and pacification
Mpatapo represents the bond or knot
that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful, harmonious
reconciliation. It is a symbol of peacemaking after strife.
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