Abstract Five 2011-2012

GLOBAL

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

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Volume Six Winter-Spring 2011-2012 Numbers 3-4.

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CHINA'S ROLE IN AFRICA'S CONFLICT RESOLUTION, PEACEKEEPING AND PEACE BUILDING

Bertha Z. Osei-Hwedie,

Chair, Center for Culture and Peace Studies

Department of Political and Administrative Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

University of Botswana

Private Bag 00705, Gaborone, Botswana

Published online: February 10, 2017

ABSTRACT

Security and stability are important to Africa because it is ravaged by intra and inter-state conflicts. The region is therefore in need of assistance from donors to provide financial, human and material resources for conflict resolution and peacekeeping activities. China is a relatively new participant in conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa. The main objectives of this article are to understand China’s role in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding in Africa and the related challenges, especially in post conflict societies, an analysis of the factors and underlying motives of China's contribution to conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa, and an assessment of the significance of China’s contribution to Africa’s security and stability. The article starts with a clarification of the concepts of conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding. The analysis of China’s contribution to, and impact on, conflict resolution and peacekeeping in Africa is located within the conceptual framework of peacebuilding viewed as conflict prevention, non-recurrence of violent conflict and fostering social justice. China's foreign policy is viewed as an extension of its domestic interests and an emerging world power eager to provide leadership.