Local Peace Agreements: The Road to Peace and Democracy in KwaZulu Natal?

Abstract

This four-year project, funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, explores the role of local actors and institutions in mitigating political violence in the South African province KwaZulu Natal. In South Africa, democracy has been introduced successfully, but the transition from apartheid was not at all peaceful. In the run-up to the first democratic elections in 1994, all major parties participated in threats and intimidation and large-scale violence raged throughout the country. After the 1994 election, political violence ceased in most regions, but in KwaZulu Natal there are still outbursts of violence, in particular in relation to elections. At the national level, the power sharing agreement played an important role in facilitating the transition from apartheid towards democratic governance. The project explores the local dynamics in KwaZulu Natal by comparing societies with different types of mechanisms for conflict management – such as local peace agreements and power sharing – and different outcomes in terms of reduction of political violence. The research includes the development of a theory on local power sharing. This project will complement previous research on national and internationally mediated power sharing agreements where former enemies agree to share power in joint government. The results of the project will be useful in improving the design and implementation of future peace missions to also improve democratic capacity in societies shattered by war.