Abstract

This paper examines the challenges of post-conflict Peacebuilding and State Building (PBSB) in Africa. The paper’s point of departure is a functional and enduring PBSB, basically, deals with the fundamental foundation of societal construction. The paper examines two conceptions. The two are neoliberal and popular progressive. It is the contention of the paper that PBSB is achieved through gradual evolutionary historical process. As gradual historical transformation process, it is contingent on domestic realities, trajectories, socioeconomic, demographic, ethno-political structures, relationship, sociopolitical forces and actor-ship. Unlike neoliberal understanding that focuses on technical and administrative, apolitical and a historical, external expertise and knowledge,  institutions, top-down, etc. imposition; the alternative model of popular progressive understanding focuses on basics of societal  construction. The paper’s principal focus is on conceptual and theoretical aspects. It concludes only the popular progressive alternative could achieve sustainable and functional peace, security and development.

Keywords: Peacebuilding, State building, Neoliberal, Popular progressive, Post-conflict, Africa