The Role of External Actors in Shaping Civil Society and Human Rights Protection in Post Conflict Africa

This paper examines how external actors shape civil society and human rights protection in post conflict Africa through financial, normative, and coercive mechanisms. Using a qualitative synthesis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and institutional reports, the study develops a hybrid constructivist dependency framework that integrates ideational and structural perspectives to explain the paradox of empowerment and dependency in external engagement. The analysis covers key post conflict cases including Rwanda, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The findings show that international assistance strengthens governance and promotes rights awareness but also reproduces aid dependency, politicizes justice, and narrows civic space through conditionality and securitized aid. Civil society organizations demonstrate resilience by localizing global norms and reinterpreting them through indigenous practices and community legitimacy. The paper concludes that sustainable post conflict reconstruction requires transforming external assistance into equitable partnership that prioritizes local ownership, long term capacity building, and regional collaboration. By combining constructivist and dependency insights, this study contributes to understanding how global and local forces shape Africa’s evolving human rights architecture and provides policy guidance for aligning international engagement with locally driven democratic renewal.

External actors, civil society, human rights protection, post conflict Africa

1. Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., M. Ameen, B. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6, 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Alaka, O. (2025). Post-Sovereignty vs Postcolonialism: A Business Philosopher’s Perspective on African Political and Economic Autonomy. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5374125 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Andonova, L. B., & Piselli, D. (2022). Transnational partnerships, domestic institutions, and sustainable development. The case of Brazil and the Amazon Region Protected Areas program. World Development, 157, 105809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105809 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Aslam, G., Grandvoinnet, H., Rusten, C., Boekman, S., & Van Wicklin, W. (2015). Social Accountability in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations. In Opening the Black Box: The Contextual Drivers of Social Accountability (pp. 193–228). The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0481-6_ch6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Atkinson, P. (2008). Liberal interventionism in Liberia: Towards a tentatively just approach? Conflict, Security & Development, 8(1), 15–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678800801977062 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Banks, N., Hulme, D., & Edwards, M. (2015). NGOs, States, and Donors Revisited: Still Too Close for Comfort? World Development, 66, 707–718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.09.028 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Benjaminsen, T. A., & Ba, B. (2024). A moral economy of pastoralists? Understanding the ‘jihadist’ insurgency in Mali. Political Geography, 113, 103149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polgeo.2024.103149 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Bindi, I. T., & Tufekci, O. (2018). Liberal Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone: A Critical Exploration. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 53(8), 1158–1172. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909618776427 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Brice, T. F. L., Kotchaphop, K., & Juan, P. S. (2025). An Alternative to the Liberal World Order: China, BRICS, and Middle East Diplomacy. Jurnal of Middle East and Islamic Studies, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/meis.v12i1.197 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Browne, S. (2012). Aid and Influence. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849770453 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Carter, N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J. (2014). The Use of Triangulation in Qualitative Research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545–547. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Chandler, D. (2007). The security–development nexus and the rise of ‘anti-foreign policy.’ Journal of International Relations and Development, 10(4), 362–386. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jird.1800135 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. COOPER, N., TURNER, M., & PUGH, M. (2011). The end of history and the last liberal peacebuilder: a reply to Roland Paris. Review of International Studies, 37(4), 1995–2007. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210511000143 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Craig, V., Erwin, van, & Veen, L. D. (2015). Achieving security progress in post-conflict contexts: Between liberal peacebuilding and elite interests. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291833207_Achieving_security_progress_in_post-conflict_contexts_Between_liberal_peacebuilding_and_elite_interests [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Dawit, N., & Yohannes, N. (2023). The Humanitarian Crisis In Ethiopia’s Tigray Region: A Systematic Review. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371612974_The_Humanitarian_Crisis_In_Ethiopia’s_Tigray_Region_A_Systematic_Review [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. do Amaral, M. P. (2022). Comparative Case Studies: Methodological Discussion (pp. 41–60). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96454-2_3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Duursma, A., Bara, C., Wilén, N., Hellmüller, S., Karlsrud, J., Oksamytna, K., Bruker, J., Campbell, S., Cusimano, S., Donati, M., Dorussen, H., Druet, D., Geier, V., Epiney, M., Geier, V., Gelot, L., Gyllensporre, D., Hiensch, A., Hultman, L., … Wenger, A. (2023). UN Peacekeeping at 75: Achievements, Challenges, and Prospects. International Peacekeeping, 30(4), 415–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/13533312.2023.2263178 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Dzinesa, G. Albert., & Curtis, Devon. (2012). Peacebuilding, power, and politics in Africa. Ohio University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Ekiyor, T. (n.d.). The role of civil society in conflict prevention : West African experiences. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:18553105 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Elnour, A. (n.d.). A comparative analysis of the role of foreign aid in post-conflict A comparative analysis of the role of foreign aid in post-conflict reconstruction of Rwanda and Sierra Leone reconstruction of Rwanda and Sierra Leone. https://fount.aucegypt.edu/about.html. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Faust, J., Grävingholt, J., & Ziaja, S. (2015). Foreign aid and the fragile consensus on state fragility. Journal of International Relations and Development, 18(4), 407–427. https://doi.org/10.1057/jird.2013.23 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Fentahun, G. (2023). Foreign aid in the post-colonial Africa: Means for building democracy or ensuring Western domination? Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2241257 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Finkenbusch, P. (2021). Liberal peace: from civilising mission to self-doubt. Global Change, Peace & Security, 33(2), 163–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/14781158.2021.1932783 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Fitriani, H. (2024). Impact of Foreign Aid on Economic Development: A Critical Literature Review. Advances: Jurnal Ekonomi & Bisnis, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.60079/ajeb.v2i2.226 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Gabel, S. G., & NingningYang. (2022). Transnational Advocacy at the United Nations for Social Workers. Journal of Human Rights and Social Work, 7(4), 417–427. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-022-00216-1 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Gonzalez-Vicente, R. (2020). The liberal peace fallacy: violent neoliberalism and the temporal and spatial traps of state-based approaches to peace. Territory, Politics, Governance, 8(1), 100–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622671.2018.1550012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Haavik, V., Bøås, M., & Iocchi, A. (2022). The End of Stability – How Burkina Faso Fell Apart. African Security, 15(4), 317–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2022.2128614 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Harvold Kvangraven, I. (2023). Dependency theory: strengths, weaknesses, and its relevance today. In A Modern Guide to Uneven Economic Development (pp. 147–170). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788976541.00013 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Ismail, Olawale., & Sköns, Elisabeth. (2014). Security activities of external actors in Africa. Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. ISS Today. (2021). Mercenaries and private military security: Africa’s thin grey line. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/mercenaries-and-private-military-security-africas-thin-grey-line [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Jalale, G. B. (2024). The Sahel: A Deadly New Era in the Decades-long Conflict. https://acleddata.com/report/conflict-watchlist-2024-sahel-deadly-new-era-decades-long-conflict [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. John, R. A., & Joyce, M. (2014). Perpetuation of instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: When the Kivus sneeze, Kinshasa catches a cold. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/278624263_Perpetuation_of_instability_in_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo_When_the_Kivus_sneeze_Kinshasa_catches_a_cold [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Karim, M. F. (2025). Non-Western Middle Powers in Changing Global Order. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190846626.013.854 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Karlsrud, J. (2023). ‘Pragmatic Peacekeeping’ in Practice: Exit Liberal Peacekeeping, Enter UN Support Missions? Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 17(3), 258–272. https://doi.org/10.1080/17502977.2023.2198285 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Kidane Kiros. (2024). THE ONGOING WAR IN SUDAN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF THE HORN OF AFRICA AND BEYOND KIDANE KIROS. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Kobayashi, K., Krause, K., & Yuan, X. (2025). (Re)Setting the boundaries of peacebuilding in a changing global order. Contemporary Security Policy, 46(2), 226–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/13523260.2025.2466287 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Kristoffer, L. (2015). Peace, Self-Governance and International Engagement: From Neo-Colonial to Postcolonial Peacebuilding. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1575.1521 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Kumi, E., Osei, D. B., & Tsiboe-Darko, A. (2025). Understanding local NGOs’ sustainability in Ghana: does organisational capacity and scope matter? Journal of Civil Society, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/17448689.2025.2547662 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Kurtz, G. (2024). Power Relations in Sudan after the Fall of Bashir. From Revolution to War. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Maigari, M. A. (2022). The role of civil society organisations in peacebuilding in post-conflict society: Kenya and Nigeria. Global Journal of Sociology: Current Issues, 12(1), 40–54. https://doi.org/10.18844/gjs.v12i1.6594 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. McCandless, E., & Donais, T. (2020). Generations of Constructing Peace. In Peacebuilding Paradigms (pp. 126–144). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108652162.008 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. McGrath, M., Kurt, G., Davis, E., Lekkeh, S. A., Beetar, A., Mozumder, M. K., Almeamari, F., Rosenbaum, S., & Wells, R. (2025). The localisation of humanitarian response to conflict and displacement: a scoping review from a health systems perspective. BMJ Global Health, 10(9), e018331. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018331 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Mohamed, G. (2025, March). African Union peacekeepers in Somalia accused of widespread abuse. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/analysis/2025/03/12/african-union-peacekeepers-somalia-accused-widespread-abuse [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Nelson-Richards, M. (n.d.). Youth in Post-Conflict Africa: Community-Based Rehabilitation, Rebuilding and Reconstruction of Society Organized by the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) 2 Youth in Post-Conflict Africa: Community-Based Rehabilitation, Rebuilding and Reconstruction of Society 1. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Nyirenda, C. (n.d.). Imperialism and the Relevance of Constructivism in International Relations Pg. |IDRJ, 2(2), 2025. https://doi.org/10.56279/KOBH6263 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Och, M. (2018). The local diffusion of international human rights norms – understanding the cities for CEDAW campaign. International Feminist Journal of Politics, 20(3), 425–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616742.2018.1447312 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Offiong Duke, O., & David Agbaji, D. (2018). Understanding Conflict Trends in Africa: A Peer into the Psychocultural Conflict Perspective. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2018/v1i213049 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Opongo, E. O. (2021). Transitional justice discourse in post-conflict societies in Africa: introduction. Journal of the British Academy, 9(S2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/009s2.001 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Pacheco, F., Jao, M., De, T., Cravo, A., & Schiefer, U. (n.d.). The Role of External Development Actors in Post-Conflict Scenarios Oficina do CES n.o 258 Setembro de 2006. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. PARIS, R. (2010). Saving liberal peacebuilding. Review of International Studies, 36(2), 337–365. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210510000057 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Parks, T. (2008). The rise and fall of donor funding for advocacy NGOs: understanding the impact. Development in Practice, 18(2), 213–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614520801899036 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Rataski, N. (2011). Legal Coordination of NGOs in Times of Crisis: The Role of NGOs During and After the Rwandan Genocide. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1768240 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Richmond, O. P. (2006). The problem of peace: understanding the ‘liberal peace.’ Conflict, Security & Development, 6(3), 291–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/14678800600933480 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

54. Roggeband, C., & Krizsán, A. (2021). The Selective Closure of Civic Space. Global Policy, 12(S5), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.12973 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

55. Sambo, M. F. (2024). Autocratisation and Peacebuilding in Mozambique (2012–2019): Towards Illiberal Peace? Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, 19(1), 78–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/15423166231220713 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

56. Saul, M. (2024). Introducing Discourse Analysis for Qualitative Research. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

57. Sharma, A. (n.d.). Effect of Foreign Aid on Political Stability in Developing Nations. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajir.2446 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

58. Uvin, P. (1999). Development Aid and Structural Violence: The case of Rwanda. Development, 42(3), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.development.1110060 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

59. Uwaliraye, P., Lyle, V., Mwanza, J., Biraro, G., Earle, A. J., & Gatome-Munyua, A. (2024). Rwanda’s Single Project Implementation Unit: An Effective Donor Coordination Platform in the Journey to Achieving Universal Health Coverage. Health Systems & Reform, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/23288604.2024.2403527 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

60. V, D., & A, Y. (2016). Constructivism: A Paradigm for Teaching and Learning. Arts and Social Sciences Journal, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.4172/2151-6200.1000200 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

61. Voloshchuk, O., Kolesnyk, V., & Hetmantsev, M. (2021). Human rights violations and genocide: Lessons of Rwanda. Revista Amazonia Investiga, 10(40), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2021.40.04.13 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

62. Walton, O., & Johnstone, A. (2024). The fragmentation of the security-development nexus: the UK government’s approach to security and development 2015-2022. Peacebuilding, 12(3), 429–444. https://doi.org/10.1080/21647259.2023.2291920 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

63. Wiesner, C. (2022). Doing qualitative and interpretative research: reflecting principles and principled challenges. Political Research Exchange, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2474736X.2022.2127372 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

64. Woldetsadik, M. K. (2019). Conflict analysis of Liberia’s civil wars (1989-2003). Skhid, 0(6(158)), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.21847/1728-9343.2018.6(158).154894 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

65. World Peace Foundation. (2024). The impacts of militarized foreign policy in the MENA region. https://worldpeacefoundation.org/blog/militarized-foreign-policy-mena/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar