As the new year begins, Africa — so often besieged by wars — is seeing a period of growing peace.
For the first time in five years, no major wars are roiling the continent, even if low-level conflicts still smolder. A deal to end Sudan's civil war — Africa's longest — could be struck this month. And peace processes are pushing ahead in Liberia, Burundi, Ivory Coast, and Congo.
Perhaps it's just a lull between storms. Yet observers see fundamental shifts that may create an era of relative calm for Africa's 800 million people.
The biggest new force is Africans themselves. Led by South Africa, there's growing desire to arm-twist warriors into laying down their weapons. Also, outside powers, including the United States, are more engaged. They may be motivated by antiterror fears, need for oil, or guilt for inaction during Rwanda's 1994 genocide, but they're increasingly supporting Africa's peaceful impulses.
| Read more of Abraham McLaughlin's Christian Science Monitor article "A continent at peace: five African hot spots cool down"
posted in articles on January 1, 2004 10:34 AM | t (0)
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