Africa faces huge political and humanitarian challenges. Sixteen countries are stricken by war or serious instability; the shadow of genocide looms over central Africa; while natural and man-made disasters threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions of Africans. International structures for peace and security and the delivery of humanitarian assistance have so far failed to prevent enduring crisis across the continent. Hopes of new models for "African solutions to African problems" have suffered severe setbacks in the last few years.

The essays in this collection address this range of challenges:

• Why war persists in Africa-- is the continent caught in a "war trap" whereby conflict is generating more conflict?
• What are the causes, implications and solutions for genocide, especially in the Great Lakes?
• What structures for regional peace and security are required for an effective international security order in Africa?
• What is the future of humanitarian intervention in Africa--and in particular, do African forces now require a specifically African doctrine for intervention?
• Certain forms of democratic political process can help prevent famine--how can these be made a reality in Africa?
• What institutions and capacities can be effective in preventing and relieving humanitarian crises?
• What is the role for international humanitarian law--is it an irrelevance, or is it central to any effective response to humanitarian crises?
• What mechanisms for humanitarian accountability can be developed?

The essays are unsigned. They are based on a wide range of contributions, written and verbal, and have been edited together by Alex de Waal. They do not represent the views of any individual, institution, or government. They should not be taken as firm viewpoints or statements of doctrine or policy, but instead as attempts to stimulate thought about opinions for the future.

CATEGORY
History, Development Studies, Politics/AFRICA