Women and Children in Conflict Situations: The Culture of Rights as a Missing Link in Africa By Makumi Mwagiru The Role and Place of Ethnic Languages (1) in Conflict Resolution: The Case of African Countries By P.K. Nzunga Use of Traditional Communications in Conflict Management: The Case of Uganda By Livingstone Sewanyana African Council for Communication Education Copyright © 1997 (ACCE) Nairobi, Kenya ISSN 0258-4913 Africa Media Review provides a forum for the study of communication theory, practice and policy in African countries. It is published three times a year by the ACCE Institute for Communication Development and Research, P. O. Box 4749S, Nairobi, Kenya. Telephone:254-2- 227043/216135/215270/334244 ext.28068 Tefax: 254-02-216135 E-mail: acceb@arcc.or.ke Correspondence and Advertising Authors should send contributions to the Managing Editor, ACCE Institute for Communication Development and Research, P. O. Box 47495, Nairobi, Kenya. Books for review, book review articles and all other matters regarding AMR should be sent to the same address. Annual Subscription Rate Africa US$45:00 Outside Africa US$60:00 These rates include packaging and postage. Single copies are US$ 15:00 within Africa and US$ 20:00 outside Africa. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to African Council for Communication Education and sent to the above address. Special arrangements will be entered into where applicable for subscribers in Africa through their nearest ACCE national co- ordinator. ACCE institutional and individual members receive AMR as part of membership privileges. Managing Editor Dr Peter Wanyande, African Council for Communication Education, Nairobi, Kenya. Editorial Assistant Prof. Okoth Okombo, Dept of Linguistics University of Nairobi, Kikuyu Campus. Circulation Miss Lydia Gachungi, African Council for Communication Education, Nairobi, Kenya. ACCE President Mr Polycarp Omolo Ochilo, University of Nairobi, Kenya. . many us have an undying quest to see every-part of mr continent eiqperiencing i peace, democracy, justice and reconciliation, where citizens can excise their freedom of choice...., enjoying equal freedom to eT&rcise their power of choice and where intimidation of whatever sort is regardedf as a denial of this right. Rev. Richard M. Mkholo Comments on this Issue This issue of AMR contains articles on conflict and the Culture of Rights in Africa. The articles examine issues of conflict in Africa from different perspectives and how communication and the media can be used to help solve conflicts which affect human rights. In the first paper, Makumi Mwagiru discusses the impact of conflicts on women and children and explores the basis on which the situation of women and children in conflict situations should be analyzed. The article also provides the legal basis for the protection of women and children. Macharia Munene's article discusses the role of religion and culture in conflict creation and resolution in both pre and post- colonial Kenya. The author exposes the inability of religious organizations to prevent conflict and deplores the failure by some religious leaders to condemn political leaders who generate conflict. The paper by Livingstone Sewanyana addresses the issue of conflict from the perspective of how conflicts were dealt with in traditional African societies with particular reference to Uganda. The author discusses the methods of communication both in traditional and modern Uganda and how respect for rights and responsibilities helped in promoting cross-cultural amity. P. K. Nzunga examines the role and place of ethic languages in conflict resolution in Africa. The author argues that the greatest injustice the colonial masters committed was the imposition of their language and culture on the colonized peoples. He ends the article by proposing alternative possibilities in relation to conflict resolution in Africa. The next article is by Eluzai Yokwe and examines the Sudanese conflict. The author calls for religious tolerance and implores world bodies to explore common factors in social conflicts, and to sensitize people in matters of religious toler- ance, injustice and peace. The article calls for the promotion of dialogue among warring protagonists, with particular reference to the Sudanese conflict. The article also provides indications as on how the conflicts should be addressed in an enlightened manner. The final article is by Jennifer Nduku Kiti and looks at the experience of the Red Cross as far as conflict is concerned. The paper focuses on the challenges and concerns of the Red Cross Movement with regard to wars and other forms of conflict. Table of Contents 1 Women and Children in Conflict Situations: The Culture of Rights as a Missing Link in Africa By Makumi Mwagiru 25 Culture and Religion in Conflict Management By Macharia Munene 40 The Use of Traditional Communications in Conflict Management: The Case of Uganda By Livingstone Sewanyana 70 The Role and Place of Ethinic Languages in Conflict Resolution: The Case of African Countries By P.K. Nzunga 80 Conflict Resolution in the Sudan: A Case Study of Intolerance in Contemporary African Societies By Eluzai Moga Yokwe 104 The Red Cross Experience: Promoting International Humantarian Law By Jennifer Kiti