African Conflict Resolution Journal (Political Science focus)
African Conflict Resolution Journal (Political Science focus) is a peer‑reviewed scholarly journal published under the Pan‑African Research Journals (PARJ) platform, advancing African‑centred and global research.
Why Mediations Fail: Leverage, Fragmented Armed Actors, and the Political Economy of Spoilers in Protracted Conflict
Misaligned mediation leverage is developed as a framework for understanding mediation failure in protracted conflicts, focusing on leverage, consent, and the political economy of negotiation spoilers. The argument advanced is that mediation fails when leverage is directed at formal principals while the capacity to violate agreements is dispersed across semi-autonomous commanders whose incentives diverge from those of negotiators at the table. Drawing on process tracing of IGAD-led mediation processes (2014–2018); comparative analysis of Angola’s Lusaka Protocol (1994) and Liberia’s Accra Agreement (2003); mediation team interviews; and application of formal bargaining models under incomplete information, the study engages debates in negotiation theory, spoiler theory, and principal–agent problems in international mediation. It develops a model of how mediator leverage interacts with internal factional dynamics to explain why mediated agreements collapse. Three core claims are advanced. First, the 2015 ARCSS failed not because mediation was absent, but because leverage and consent were concentrated at the leadership level while field commanders retained both the incentives and capacity to defect. Second, spoiler behaviour is better explained by principal–agent divergence within armed movements than by a simple binary between peace-seekers and rejectionists. Third, sanctions and coercive diplomacy are effective only when paired with enforcement arrangements that reshape the calculations of commanders, financiers, and external patrons simultaneously. The study concludes that peace processes must map factional chains of control rather than assume that elite signatures ensure compliance. It further emphasizes that effective leverage must extend beyond top leadership to reach
Copyright (c) 2026 African Conflict Resolution Journal (Political Science focus)
This article develops misaligned mediation leverage as an analytical lens for understanding mediation failure in protracted conflicts: leverage, consent, and the political economy of negotiation spoilers. It argues that mediation fails when leverage is directed at formal principals while the real capacity to violate agreements is dispersed across semi-autonomous commanders who face different incentives than negotiators at the table. Drawing on process tracing of the igad-led mediation processes (2014–2018); comparative analysis with angola's lusaka protocol (1994) and liberia's accra agreement (2003); mediation team interviews; application of formal game-theoretic models of bargaining under incomplete information., the paper links the theoretical debates identified in negotiation theory (zartman's 'ripeness'; touval & zartman on mediation); spoiler theory (stedman); principal-agent problems in international mediation. develops a model of how mediator leverage interacts with the internal principal-agent dynamics of armed factions to explain why mediated agreements collapse. to a comparative and historically grounded reading of South Sudan and the related cases assembled in the research design. The article advances three core claims. First, the 2015 ARCSS collapsed not because mediation was absent, but because leverage and consent were concentrated at the leadership tier while field commanders retained incentives and capacity to defect. Second, spoiler behaviour is best explained by principal-agent divergence within armed movements rather than by a simple binary between peace-seekers and rejectionists. Third, sanctions and coercive diplomacy are effective only when paired with enforcement architectures that can alter the calculations of commanders, financiers, and neighbo
This article examines Oil Revenue Management and Conflict: The Resource Curse in South Sudan: International Norms, Local Realities with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2022 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Deliberative Democracy in Divided Societies
This article examines Deliberative Democracy in Divided Societies: Habermas, Rawls, and the African Context: Post-CPA and Beyond with a focused emphasis on Ethiopia within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in Africa
This article examines Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in Africa: South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Lessons for South Sudan: An African Union Perspective with a focused emphasis on Sierra Leone within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a action research study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Constitutional Patriotism and African Political Identity
This article examines Constitutional Patriotism and African Political Identity: Habermas in the African Context: The Role of Civil Society with a focused emphasis on Malawi within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2021 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article examines The Hybrid Security Sector: Integration Failures, Parallel Chains of Command, and Civilian Harm: Challenges and Opportunities in the 2020s with a focused emphasis on Mauritius within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a conference paper that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2023 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article examines South Korea's Engagement with Africa: Aid, Trade, and Middle Power Diplomacy: Climate Change Dimensions with a focused emphasis on Djibouti within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a survey research article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Gender Quotas in East African Parliaments
This article examines Gender Quotas in East African Parliaments: Rwanda's Model and Its Transferability: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic with a focused emphasis on Rwanda within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Security Without the State: Community Self-Protection in Areas of Limited Statehood: Towards Sustainable Development Goals with a focused emphasis on Tunisia within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a ethnographic study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
African States and the International Criminal Court
This article examines African States and the International Criminal Court: Withdrawal Threats, Selective Justice, and Reform: Youth Perspectives and Intergenerational Justice with a focused emphasis on Egypt within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
INTERPOL and Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation in East Africa
This article examines INTERPOL and Regional Law Enforcement Cooperation in East Africa: Challenges and Opportunities in the 2020s with a focused emphasis on Ghana within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The Nexus Between Organised Crime and Terrorism in East Africa
This article examines The Nexus Between Organised Crime and Terrorism in East Africa: Institutional Capacity and Political Will with a focused emphasis on Ethiopia within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The Political Economy of Media Ownership in East Africa
This article examines The Political Economy of Media Ownership in East Africa with a focused emphasis on Central African Republic within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Humanitarian Access Negotiations in Active Conflict
This article examines Humanitarian Access Negotiations in Active Conflict: Principles, Practice, and Compromise: Youth Perspectives and Intergenerational Justice with a focused emphasis on Malawi within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a commentary on published article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Big Data and Political Analysis: Applications and Limitations in African Contexts: Policy Implications for Fragile States with a focused emphasis on Tanzania within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines The Dark Web and Criminal Markets: African Participation and Law Enforcement Responses: A Subaltern Perspective with a focused emphasis on Kenya within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a survey research article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines South Sudan National Security Service: Functions, Abuses, and Reform Imperatives: Policy Implications for Fragile States with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Gang Violence and Urban Insecurity in East African Cities
This article examines Gang Violence and Urban Insecurity in East African Cities: Nairobi, Kampala, and Juba: Beyond the Liberal Peace Framework with a focused emphasis on Kenya within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a comparative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Targeted Killing, Drone Warfare, and International Law in African Counter-Terrorism
This article examines Targeted Killing, Drone Warfare, and International Law in African Counter-Terrorism: Institutional Capacity and Political Will with a focused emphasis on Tanzania within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Counter-Terrorism Institutional Capacity
This article examines The Tension Between Peace and Justice: Accountability vs. Negotiations in Ongoing Conflicts: Lessons for Sub-Saharan Africa with a focused emphasis on Ethiopia within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a theoretical framework article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Platform Accountability and Content Moderation
This article examines Platform Accountability and Content Moderation: Hate Speech and Incitement in African Contexts: A South Sudan Case Study with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The Bandung Conference and African Non-Alignment in Cold War International Relations
This article examines The Bandung Conference and African Non-Alignment in Cold War International Relations: Multi-Level Governance Perspectives with a focused emphasis on Gabon within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in Africa: South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Lessons for South Sudan: An African Union Perspective with a focused emphasis on Sierra Leone within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a mixed methods study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Security Without the State: Community Self-Protection in Areas of Limited Statehood: Towards Sustainable Development Goals with a focused emphasis on Nigeria within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Private Military Contractors in Africa: Wagner, Stabilisation, and Accountability: A South Sudan Case Study with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a ethnographic study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Parliamentary Debates as Political Communication
This article examines Parliamentary Debates as Political Communication: Discourse Analysis of East African Legislatures: Human Rights and Governance Considerations with a focused emphasis on Nigeria within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a survey research article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector in Fragile States
This article examines Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector in Fragile States: Human Rights and Governance Considerations with a focused emphasis on Kenya within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Funding Mechanisms for Humanitarian Response
This article examines Funding Mechanisms for Humanitarian Response: CERF, Country-Based Pooled Funds, and Donor Trends: An African Union Perspective with a focused emphasis on Mauritius within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
State Propaganda and Nationalist Mobilisation in African Post-Colonial States
This article examines State Propaganda and Nationalist Mobilisation in African Post-Colonial States: Rural and Urban Dimensions with a focused emphasis on Tanzania within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a ethnographic study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.