Consensus and Conflict Resolution in Postcolonial Zimbabwe: Philosophical Reflections on an Indigenous Method of Conflict Resolution

Abstract

The role that the indigenous systems of governance in Africa play towards solving some of the social, political and economic problems cannot be overlooked. Contrary to the popular opinion suggesting that African indigenous approaches to conflict resolution are archaic and outmoded, this essay emphasizes the need to rethink the relevance of consensus as a sine qua non basis for conflict resolution in Zimbabwe. Here, consensus is described as a long-established form of compromise that contributed to the achievement of conflict resolution in most traditional1 African societies. Hence, a leaf could be taken from how indigenous African societies solved conflicts. Consequently, this essay argues that unless a consensus is reached as a basis for justice and conflict resolution in Zimbabwe and Africa at large, all attempts towards peace-building will be useless.