Abstract:
This study sort to identify the prevalent types of conflict and causes, conflict indicators, the role played by these
indicators and how conflict undermines Disaster Management activities in Africa.The historical method of data
collection was used. Data collected was secondary. Collection involved the researcher visiting various web sites
on the internet and various published works, which had information on conflicts in Africa.The study population
comprised of 52 African countries. The period covered by the research was January 2007 to April 2009.The
results show an identification of the following six types of conflict, armed conflict (divided into major,
intermediate and minor), border disputes, food riots, political violence, targeted attacks and inter-communal
strife. Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya were quantitatively
identified as high conflict areas in the continent. Armed conflict came out as the high priority conflict type that
needed urgent attention. Various types of conflict indicators were identified and their role was explained as that
of providing early warning to conflict. Conflict was seen as undermining disaster management activities through
retarding, stopping and stalling many developmental processes.The study recommended various ways to deal
with conflicts, all directed towards the search for peace and security that requires the mobilization, coordination
and cooperation of all states, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society, community leaders, the community
and others to participate in efforts of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa.
