Chapter
Structure of the Book and Methodological Framework
Clarification of Concepts
SOCIO-POLITICAL CONFLICT: CASE OF THE 1989 BENIN CRISIS
SOCIO-POLITICAL CONFLICT: PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS AND PROBLEMATIC CONTOURS
Socio-Political Conflict: Meaning and Issues of Typology
Philosophical Assumptions on Nature and Society in Relation to Conflict
Nature and Society as the Main Determinants of Conflict
Important Variables in Conflict
AROUND THE 1989 CONFLICT ESCALATION IN BENIN: OVERVIEW OF CRISIS CONTEXT, ISSUES AND PARTIES
Interaction of Economic, Ideological and Socio-Political Factors
Confrontations between State Actors and Non-State Actors
THE BENIN CRISIS THROUGH THEORETICAL LENSES
UNDERSTANDING THE CRISIS: ANALYSIS OF THE CRISIS STORY USING THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
Crisis Nature: Actors and Goals in Benin’s 1989 crisis
The Government as State Actor: Kérékou and his Regime
Civil Society: Students and Teachers, Workers and Trades Unions
Religious Leaders and Intellectual Elites
Benin’s Diaspora, Civilian Leaders, and Opposition Groups
International Actors: the IMF, the World Bank and France
The Benin Crisis seen through Hegelian Dialectic
Benin’s Crisis through the Lenses of Karl Marx
The Benin Case in the Light of Critical Theory
Relative Deprivation and Need Theory in Benin’s Crisis
Benin’s Crisis through the Lenses of Galtung’s Conflict Triangle: Crisis Diagnosis
Contradictions in Benin’s 1989 Crisis: Goals Incompatibility
Attitudes in Benin’s 1989 Crisis
Behaviors in Benin’s 1989 Crisis
Benin’s Crisis and Systems Theory
NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION
GENERAL APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING SOCIO-POLITICAL CONFLICT
Use of Violence for Conflict Resolution: Philosophical Assumptions
Power-Based, Right-Based and Interest-Based Approaches to Conflict Resolution
Negotiation as an Interest-Based Approach to Conflict Management and Resolution
Some Strategies or Tactics in Negotiation
Steps and Use of Integrative Negotiation
Cultural Anthropological Perspectives on Negotiation in Africa
Use of Mediation for Conflict Management
Some Advantages and Challenges of Mediation
Towards an Emerging Literature on Indigenous Third Party Interventions in Africa
African Cultural Assets for Negotiation and Mediation: Non Exploited Resources
NATIONAL CONFERENCE AS A MULTI-TRACK DIPLOMACY MODEL FOR CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND PEACEMAKING
Genesis of the National Conference
Epiphany of the National Conference
Characteristics of the National Conference
The Process of the National Conference
The Pre-Conference Phases
Recognition of a Problem or Critical Conflict Issue
Willingness to Repent or Abandon One’s Low Socio-Political Will (or a Single Party’s Socio-Political Agenda) and Do the Higher Socio-Political Will of the Nation
Call for a National Conference
The Immediate Preparation Phase of the National Conference
Introduction or Opening of the Conference
Identification of Conflict Issues through Information Gathering
Information Collection over National Interests and Aspirations through Debates and Reflective listening
Identification of Possible Solutions
Declaration and Recognition of the Sovereignty of the Conference, Which Results in Binding Resolutions
Design of Criteria for Selecting the Best Resolutions
Selection of the Best Resolutions for the Wellbeing of the Citizens
Adoption and Recognition of the Resolutions
The Post-Conference Phases
Referendum on a New Constitution
The National Conference Compared with Negotiation and Mediation
On the Nature of the National Conference
On the Objectives of the National Conference
On the Process of the National Conference
Criteria for Selecting the President of the National Conference
Integrity and Trustworthiness
Emphasis on the Functions of the President of the National Conference
A Checklist for the President’s Daily Review
TRANSFERABILITY OF THE BENIN MODEL: PROMISE AND CHALLENGES
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in Togo
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in the Republic of Congo
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in Gabon
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in Niger
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in the Former Zaïre
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in Mali
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in Chad
Socio-Political Crisis and National Conference in the Central African Republic
DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESS IN THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
National Conference: Effectiveness and Limitations
Recommendations for Divided Societies
National Conference as a Strategy for Conflict Transformation and Peacemaking
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