Africa is becoming more peaceful and stable. This is largely due to the concerted efforts of African leaders and peacebuilding organizations.
The continent has seen a decline in conflict since the early 1990s. This is mainly due to the efforts of African leaders and peacebuilders who have been able to reduce violence by promoting peacebuilding strategies that focus on prevention, dialogue, reconciliation, and reintegration.
Africa has also seen a decline in conflict due to its increasing economic integration with other countries in the world such as China and India. In addition, Africans have been able to use their natural resources for sustainable development which has contributed significantly toward peaceful coexistence in Africa. So what’re the most peaceful countries in Africa?
The Institute of Economics and Peace is a non-profit organization trying to create a paradigm shift in how the world thinks about peace by developing and analyzing global indices, calculating the economic cost of violence, understanding country-level risk and fragility, and assessing Positive Peace.The IEP published its annual Global Peace Index report for the year 2022, ranking the world’s countries based on their level of peace.
Of the 44 African countries that ranked in the index, 21 improved, 22 deteriorated, and one country’s score remained unchanged.
Without delay, let’s take a look at the list of the most peaceful countries in Africa.
1. Mauritius: 28
Mauritius is a beautiful island known for its beaches, wildlife, and low crime rates. It is the most peaceful country in Africa.
Mauritius has been a peaceful country since its independence from British rule in 1968. The country’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech and religion as well as equality before the law.
It is the 28th most peaceful country in the world.
2. Ghana: 38
Ghana is a country in Africa known for its peace and stability.
The country’s history of peace is due to its colonial past. It was colonized by Britain from 1821 to1957. The British brought with them their values such as democracy, justice, law and order, and peaceful coexistence between different religions. These values were also spread to Ghana by their missionaries who were deeply involved in the education system.
Ghana’s history has been marked by violence but it has always managed to maintain its status as a peaceful nation despite its turbulent past.
It’s ranked the second most peaceful country in Africa and the thirty eighth most peaceful country in the world.
3. Botswana: 41
Botswana is a landlocked country in southern Africa. It has been dubbed a “blessed” nation because it has never experienced a civil war.
Botswana is the only African country that has never experienced a civil war and it is the one of the safest countries in Africa with an extremely low crime rate, according to the Global Peace Index.
4. Sierra Leone: 46
Sierra Leone was once the most notorious country in Africa. With a civil war that lasted for more than a decade and a devastating Ebola epidemic that killed thousands, the country was on its knees.
But now, Sierra Leone is on the verge of peace. The nation has been rebuilding itself after years of devastation and has now become one of the most promising and peaceful countries in Africa.
Sierra Leone is an example of how peace can come about through self-determination and reconciliation.
5. The Gambia: 53
The Gambia is a small country in West Africa. It has an area of only 4,127 square miles and a population of 1.8 million people. Despite its size, it is one of the most peaceful countries in Africa.
6. Senegal: 54
Senegal’s success in maintaining peace despite its size, population and resources is due to its strong culture of tolerance.
Senegal’s capital Dakar is one of the most important cities and one of the fastest-growing cities in West Africa.
7. Tanzania: 58
Tanzania may be an underdeveloped country but they have managed to maintain peace for a long time despite having various ethnic groups and religions living in the same country at the same time. This is due to their ability to find a way that includes all of these groups in their society by giving them equal rights and opportunities.
8. Malawi: 59
Malawi is a small country in Southern Africa. It has a population of 19 million people and the capital city is Lilongwe. It ranks at number eight in the list of most peaceful countries in Africa and 59 globally. Although it’s one of the poorest countries in the world, Malawi has enjoyed a peaceful situation since independence.
9. Equatorial Guinea: 62
The country of Equatorial Guinea is the 9th most peaceful nation in Africa, and 62nd overall. After becoming independent from Spain in 1968, Equatorial Guinea was ruled by President for life Francisco Macías Nguema until he was overthrown in a coup in 1979 by his nephew Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo who has served as the country’s president since.
Even though the country has challenges with democracy and fair elections, it is still considered peaceful compared to its neighbors in the region.
10. Namibia: 65
Namibia is a country in southern Africa. It has been at peace since the end of apartheid in 1990, and it has one of the lowest rates of violence in the world. The country is also known for its unique wildlife and culture. Its capital city is Windhoek.
Namibia has a population of 2,5 million people and its GDP per capita is $4,200 USD. The unemployment rate stands at 20,35%.
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