IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON DEMOGRAPHIC-FACTORS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

The impact of political conflict is serious. Political conflicts have crippled the economy of many African nations and still are doing the s ame including damaging the image of democracy. Most leaders are aware of these consequences but still conflicts continue in most of Africa. This is perhaps because leaders do not or cannot perceive their real s trengths or weaknesses and hence they face the consequences. Though th e concept of negotiated settlements gained its momentum in southern Af rica-Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, the full success of negotiations is yet to be seen in most of these countries. Namibia ha s already gained independence and South Africa has come out of aparthe id. The other two countries are yet to benefit from such negotiations. Demographic consequences of conflicts are explained through a systemi c model. The importance of demographic variables on negotiated settlem ent has also been explained the same way. There is no easy way out to overcome conflicts from societies but it is suggested that mutual cons ultation with opposition parties or minorities, or the suppressed peop le, would help ease many situations in Africa or elsewhere.