Argues that the most pressing research concern must be to understand the precise nature of the African land question, its land reforms and their effects on development. To unravel the roots of land conflicts in Africa requires thorough understanding of the complex social and political contradictions which have ensued from colonial and post-colonial land policies, as well as from Africa's 'development' and capital accumulation trajectories, especially with regard to the land rights of the continent's poor. Questions the capacity of emerging neo-liberal economic and political regimes in Africa to deliver land reforms which address growing inequality and poverty. 168pp, SENEGAL. CODESRIA.

Understanding Global Issues report number 126 covers basic facts and controversies in African land use and ownership. Bib, notes, maps, charts, b/w illus, 79pp, UK. UNDERSTANDING GLOBAL ISSUES.

Efforts to change the race-based systems of land ownership and land tenure in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe have pushed land issues to the forefront of social and economic discourses in Africa. This collection examines the broader context of the re-emergence of land reform and resource conflicts. The case studies (Cameroon, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe) examine the links between identity maintenance, tenurial changes, state intervention and forms and modes of conflict. The authors emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of local histories, cultures and motivations if efforts to attain a more just distribution of resources are to succeed. Index, 244pp, UK. JAMES CURREY PUBLISHERS.

Argues that there is a strong correlation between conflict and poverty leading to deep inequality, unequal growth and the unequal distribution of resources. Inequality between groups is one of the foremost causes of violent conflict. Structurally, these may be related directly back to the allocation and distribution of resources, including the scarcity of land and the compromising of land tenure rights. Access to or distribution of properly managed, protected and controlled natural resources can augment livelihood strategies. Includes case studies of Eritrea and Zimbabwe, Rwanda, the DRC, Burundi and Angola. 392pp, SOUTH AFRICA. INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES.

Addressing the housing problem has been one of the key concerns in post-apartheid South Africa, and the last two years have seen a major shift from the policy, which was in place during the first ten years of democracy. This book draws on examples from South Africa, Swaziland, Angola, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Thailand and Brazil. 336pp, SOUTH AFRICA. JUTA PUBLISHERS.

Traces the development of ideas about sustainable development and addresses a new agenda based on social justice and examines contemporary neoliberal market-led reforms and the legacy of colonialism on the land question. Argues that debates on sustainable development should be placed in the context of structural interests, access and equity, rather than technical management of land and resources. Index, bib, tables, maps, 226pp, UK. ZED BOOKS.

This book is the first to develop a sociology of contemporary land reform in Africa. Argues that a drive is gathering pace in Africa today to replace communal forms of customary tenure with private land tenure arrangements, markets in land that treat it as a commodity, and forms of rural credit involving land as collateral. While the arguments in favour of land tenure reform may make economic sense, the human and social consequences are likely to undermine African rural security and ways of life. Index, 148pp, UK. ZED BOOKS.

From Brazil to Zimbabwe, land seizures by dispossessed peasants and unemployed workers of diverse political and ideological character have become more widespread. Such tactics, the contributors to this volume argue, are being used to confront the neoliberal state and to force the disastrous plight of rural populations onto the national agenda. Provides national and micro level case studies of the rural movements involved in, among other regions and countries, Southern Africa, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Index, 426pp, UK. ZED BOOKS.

Proceeds from an assumption that poor Africans are critically dependent on land and other natural resources for survival, but their ability to access these necessities is hampered by inappropriate laws and policies as well as social, political and economic marginalisation. Topics include the historical background and legal framework which applies in various parts of the continent, the impact on land and resources of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad); the effect of acceding to certain international treaties and agreements; and lessons from experience of social mobilization that could be applied to enhance the access of Africa's poor to land and resource rights. 159pp, SOUTH AFRICA. PROGRAMME FOR LAND & AGRARIAN STUDIES.

This collection of research papers from across the African continent illustrates the complex and ever changing rules of the land tenure game, and how government legislation and reform (formalization) interact with local innovations (informalization) to form land tenure systems. Includes essays on Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Index, 175pp, UK. ROUTLEDGE.