Some lessons from the South African peace process

With the publication of Nelson Mandela's autobiography Long Walk to Freedom’ there are excellent opportunities for learning some lessons that can be applied to other areas of conflict. The book is remarkable for its honesty and gives a deep insight into the mind of a leader who has changed our perceptions of what is possible in seemingly intractable situations. This article draws some insights from the book but also uses the observations of others who have wrestled with the complexities of South African politics. Both insiders and foreign organizations such as the Anti‐Apartheid Movement have sought to influence the course of events. Among the issues that are examined are the role of sanctions, the armed struggle and efforts to encourage mediation. The main lesson that emerges is that in complex situations a multi‐pronged approach by outsiders, who are anxious to assist the resolution of conflict, may be more effective than a single monolithic approach.