Title: Indigenization of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Peace building in Africa.
Authors: Dr.Handson Bandari Ogechi
Volume: 9
Issue: 7
Pages: 57-66
Publication Date: 2025/07/28
Abstract:
The paper evaluates the mechanism for conflict resolution in traditional African societies before the advent of colonialism in the African continent. The paper further examines the history of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and litigation and find out whether which one is alternative to another. In resolving conflicts in traditional African societies, the platform always provide opportunity for the parties involved to interact, building of consensus and provision of order in a given society. The traditional conflict resolution techniques such as Negotiation, Mediation and Conciliation are examined and the indigenous personalities in conflict resolution in African societies included kings and chiefs, ancestors, elders and family heads and family systems are seriously scrutinized. It is believed that in the advent of colonialism in Africa, it attempted to wipe out the Africans' methods of monitoring, preventing, managing and resolving conflicts. Grass-root leadership has been largely ignored, but ordinary individuals in the community continue to play a role in addressing conflicts on a daily basis. How can this valuable resource and knowledge be shared with others? Sustainable peace requires exploration of indigenous conflict resolution processes traditionally used by communities who have experienced the disputes among themselves. Cultural identity and traditional values, norms, beliefs, customs and culture are reflected in these traditional methods. Africans also had their peculiar ways and manners of effecting peace-making, peace building and confidence-building. The main purpose of this paper is to critically do analysis of ICRM to determine the missing link and propose recommendations that would contribute to the strengthening of the mechanisms to be used in open courts, and other institutions and incorporate the best practices of ICRM into other mechanisms of solving conflicts and meet the new development trends, dynamics and challenges of the twenty first century. Based on these major role played by indigenous knowledge in traditional African societies and conflict resolution, the government should embrace these phenomena to bring about harmony, peace and co-existence and development in the society. It is imperative that the original African ways, norms, customs, beliefs and values must be revisited as soon as yesterday.