Examining Traditional Leaders’ Role in Managing Political Conflict and Peace Building in Zambia

• Author(s): Simeon Goma ; Stabile Namwai Ngambi ; Sanny Mulubale
• Paper ID: 1704457
• Page: 339-347
• Published Date: 15-05-2023
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 6 Issue 11 May-2023

Abstract

Inpre-modern societies, conflicts were often managed and resolved through a council of elders or eminent individuals within a traditional setting. Currently, conflict management seem to be complex due to the interdependence of actors that underlie varying interests leading to disputes which has to some level underrated the role played by the traditional leaders in disagreement meditation. This paper examines the role of traditional leaders in managing political conflict for peace building at national level in Zambia. Using qualitative approaches and a case study research design, data was collected through semi structured interviews with 30 key informants who were purposively sampled. The study was also shaped by secondary sources of data and desk reviews. The data was analysed following a thematic approach. The results of the study confirm that traditional leaders have influence in political conflict management and peace building processes. This paper has revealed that the role tradition leaders or chiefs played a significant role in the nationalist movement. Their positive contribution manifested itself from economic growth to political and social development before and after Zambia’s independence. It is clear in this study that the effect of tradition leadership in countries like Zambia is still active with considerable amount of leverage on the political direction of a country and chiefs in chiefdoms, who have the power to mediate various forms of conflicts including political disputes.

Keywords

Chiefs, conflict, peace building, politics, traditional leaders, Zambia

Citations

IRE Journals:
Simeon Goma , Stabile Namwai Ngambi , Sanny Mulubale "Examining Traditional Leaders’ Role in Managing Political Conflict and Peace Building in Zambia" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 6 Issue 11 2023 Page 339-347

IEEE:
Simeon Goma , Stabile Namwai Ngambi , Sanny Mulubale "Examining Traditional Leaders’ Role in Managing Political Conflict and Peace Building in Zambia" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 6(11)