Befriending the neighbours

Abstract

This chapter is based on a vision of a sub-Saharan region free from the political, military, and economic constraints that current notions of the nation state impose on the myriad communities that inhabit the area. It suggests that it is in the best economic, political and environmental interests of states to have an active policy of positive engagement with their neighbours. The chapter discusses the current barriers to positive engagement and then seeks to dismantle those barriers by exploring broader definitions of peace, security and sovereignty. It then examines peacekeeping, peacemaking and peacebuilding and the various actors which are involved in such processes. It envisages a greater role for civil society peacemaking initiations, possibly funded by international donors.