Researching Conflict in Africa

by Porter, Elisabeth J.; Robinson, Gillian; Smyth, Marie; Schnabel, Albrecht; Osaghae, Eghosa

• ISBN13: 9789280811193
• ISBN10: 9280811193
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: United Nations Univ

Summary

Parts of Africa experience persistent violence and seemingly intractable conflicts. These generally have deep historical roots dating to colonial periods and before, and many of them have become more destructive in the post-Cold war period. These violent conflicts have drawn researchers seeking to determine and explain why conflicts are prevalent, what makes them intensify, and how conflicts can be resolved. However much of the literature on research methodology does not address the complexities of conducting research in the midst of violent conflict and massive ethno-political disputes. This publication examines the ethical and practical issues of researching within violent and divided societies, drawing on case studies from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
List of Abbreviations	viii
List of Contributors	x
Introduction	1	(6)
Eghosa Osaghae and Gillian Robinson
Part I: Researching violently divided societies: Ethical, methodological, and policy issues	7	(38)
1 Insider—outsider issues in researching violent and divided societies	9	(15)
Marie Smyth
2 Preventing and managing violent conflict: The role of the researcher	24	(21)
Albrecht Schnabel
Part II: Researching ethnic conflict and violent division: African case studies	45	(111)
3 The role and function of research in a divided society: A case study of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria	47	(9)
Bolanle Akande Adetoun
4 Methodological lessons: Working with Liberian and Togolese refugees in Ghana	56	(8)
Dominic Agyeman
5 Applying social work practice to the study of ethnic militias: The Oduduwa People's Congress in Nigeria	64	(26)
Isaac Olawale Albert
6 Researching ethno-political conflicts and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo	90	(20)
Arsène Mwaka Bwenge
7 Accessing the child's voice: Methods used in South Africa	110	(14)
Jacqui Gallinetti
8 Certainty, subjectivity, and truth: Reflections on the ethics of wartime research in Angola	124	(16)
J. Zoë Wilson
9 Gender research in violently divided societies: Methods and ethics of "international" researchers in Rwanda	140	(16)
Erin K. Baines
Conclusion: Reflections on contemporary research in Africa	156	(10)
Elisabeth Porter
Index	166