1st Edition

Anatomy of Violence Understanding the Systems of Conflict and Violence in Africa

By Belachew Gebrewold Copyright 2010

    Violence connects people - whether directly or indirectly financing violence or by fighting the war against terror. Violent incidents are often deeply rooted in structures and systems. With a focus on Africa, this study examines three structurally interdependent conflict systems to highlight the complexities of transboundary and transregional conflict systems. The systemic approach to studying violence is highly suitable for courses on security, peace and conflict, political sociology and African politics. You will come away from the book with a better understanding of the underlying currents of violent conflicts and thus a clearer idea of how they might be handled.

    Abbreviations, Introduction, 1 T he System of the State, 2 Africa in the International Security System, 3 State and Security as Systems of Conflict and Violence, 4 Conflict Systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 5 The Intrastate Conflict System in Somalia, 6 The Intrastate Conflict System in Sudan, 7 Regional and Global Conflict Systems in the Horn of Africa, Conclusion: Ending Conflict and Violence as System Transformation, References, Index

    Biography

    Belachew Gebrewold is a Lecturer of International Relations and African Politics at Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany.

    'This illuminating, meticulously researched and ambitious book may turn out to be one of the most important to emerge on Africa's systemic, intractable and devastating conflicts for some time to come' George Kassimeris, University of Wolverhampton, UK