INTERCULTURALITY

This study examines intercultural dialogue as a strategic instrument for violent conflict prevention in multi-ethnic societies, drawing lessons from selected African experiences and exploring its implications for national security and development.The study adopts the theory of relational cohesion through mutual recognition.Using a qualitative research approach based on secondary data analysis, the study reviews existing literature, policy reports, and empirical case studies from African countries that have implemented dialogue-based conflict prevention initiatives. The analysis demonstrates that structured intercultural dialogue contributes to conflict prevention by fostering mutual understanding, reducing identity-based mistrust, strengthening social cohesion, and creating platforms for addressing grievances before they escalate into violence. Furthermore, the study finds that dialogue-driven peace initiatives strengthen national security by enhancing community resilience, supporting inclusive governance, and creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development.The study concludes that intercultural dialogue should be integrated into national security and development strategies in Africa as part of a broader preventive peacebuilding framework. Institutionalizing dialogue platforms at community, national, and regional levels significantly enhances conflict prevention, promotes social stability, and contributes to sustainable development across multi-ethnic societies.

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