Local Peace Committees and Grassroots Peacebuilding in Africa

Abstract This chapter reflects on the key role of local peace committees (LPCs) as mechanisms for peacebuilding in Africa. Local peace committees have recently gained heightened prominence globally against the backdrop of changing conflict dynamics and a new peacebuilding discourse that has increasingly valorized the local context. The “local turn” has given rise to diverse forms of grassroots peacebuilding initiatives. In taking stock of the practices and evolution of LPCs in Africa over the past 30 years, this chapter argues greater regionalization of LPCS and a more enabling legal and policy framework is essential to their continued efficacy.