Description:
One reason for the persistence and protracted nature of conflict on the<br />African continent is the phenomenon of war economies. These have transformed the<br />nature of war itself where the object is not at neutralizing an enemy but to<br />institutionalize violence at a profitable level of intensity. Transforming war<br />economies into peace economies constitute a unique challenge to post-conflict<br />reconstruction strategies on the African continent. This article explores these<br />challenges and critically examines whether the African Union (AU) and New<br />Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) post-conflict reconstruction<br />strategies meets these challenges. The article concludes with some recommendations<br />to policy-makers in order to ensure that this transition from war to peace economies<br />does indeed take place in order to ensure a more peaceful continent.