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CIAO DATE: 10/5/2006
African Diaspora and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Africa
Abdullah A. Mohamoud
February 2006
Abstract
Many domestic conflicts in numerous countries in Africa have not only been regionalised but they are also largely internationalised among other factors through the activities of diaspora groupings. Avail-able evidence suggests that homeland conflicts also directly affect the lives and well-being of the diaspora despite the fact that they are far away from the conflict zones. This reality therefore makes it imperative to address also the international dimension of the conflict, particularly the critical role that African diaspora groups play with regard to homeland conflicts. The connection between the African diaspora’s activities and the dynamics of conflict in their homelands is a dimension that has been largely overlooked in research and policy analysis despite its critical significance.
Normally, in policy discussions on conflict in Africa, diasporas are mentioned only in passing remarks as negative agents in the process, without further substantiation. However, the long-distance activities undertaken by the African diaspora have both positive and negative impacts on the conflict dynamics in their homelands. This realisation makes it imperative to mainstream strategically the long-distance diaspora’s activities in the formulation of policy options and proposals designed to promote peace and security, political stability and good governance in their respective countries of origin in Africa. This is with the aim to facilitate a process that will enable the African diaspora in the EU countries to become more of a force for constructive conflict transformation in their respective countries of origin. The ultimate goal of such policy consideration is to contribute to transforming the negative and destructive activities of the diaspora into positive and constructive gains for the homeland in Africa.