Suid-Afrika en die beslegting van gewapende konflik in Afrika sedert 1994 - Esterhuyse, Abel (University of the Free State, 2002)
An understanding of the anatomy of conflict is essential to any effort to resolve armed conflict. This implies that South Africa should take cognisance of the causes of conflict, its progression and the ways in which it can be ended, before the country can be meaningfully involved in conflict resolution in Africa. Her foreign and domestic policies and her intention to keep South African involvement within the framework of regional and international organisations underpin her involvement. Thus far, South African involvement has been characterised by neutrality, an emphasis on diplomatic solutions, ex-president Mandela’s personification thereof and the avoidance of high-risk peace keeping operations.

Die verstaan van die anatomie van konflik is essensieël vir enige poging om gewapende konflik suksesvol te beeïndig. Dit impliseer dat Suid-Afrika kennis moet neem van die oorsake, verloop en wyses van beëindiging van konflikte, alvorens betekenisvol betrokke geraak kan word in die oplossing van konflikte in Afrika. Die grondslag van Suid-Afrika se betrokkenheid by konflikoplossing is sy buitelandseen binnelandse beleide, asook die strewe om Suid-Afrika se betrokkenheid by konflikoplossing in Afrika te versoen met die strewes van streeks- en internasionale organisasies in hierdie verband. Tot op hede is Suid-Afrika se betrokkenheid gekenmerk deur neutraliteit en ’n klem op diplomatieke oplossings, asook deur oudpresident Mandela se verpersoonliking van sodanige diplomatieke strewes en ’n vermyding van hoërisiko-vredesoperasies.
Keywords: Armed conflict; Conflict resolution; Peace keeping operations