Conflict remains an inevitable aspect of human interaction, yet approaches to its management and resolution differ across cultures and societies. While Western conflict resolution models often emphasize legal procedures, individual rights, and institutional adjudication, African indigenous traditions prioritize communal harmony, moral responsibility, reconciliation, and the restoration of social relationships. This study examines three complementary African ethical traditions Omoluabi (Yoruba), Palaver (indigenous African communal dialogue), and Sankofa (Akan) as indigenous frameworks for conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding. Using a qualitative, descriptive, and analytical approach based on an extensive review of relevant literature, the study explores the philosophical foundations, ethical principles, and contemporary relevance of these traditions. The findings reveal that Omoluabi promotes moral character, integrity, and responsible citizenship; Palaver emphasizes inclusive dialogue, mediation, consensus-building, and restorative justice; while Sankofa encourages societies to learn from historical experiences in addressing present conflicts and preventing future disputes. Collectively, these ethical traditions provide a holistic framework that privileges reconciliation over retribution, dialogue over violence, and communal well-being over adversarial outcomes. The study argues that these indigenous African ethical systems remain highly relevant for addressing contemporary challenges, including ethnic tensions, political conflicts, religious disputes, family disagreements, and community-based violence. It concludes that integrating these indigenous ethical principles into educational curricula, public policy, judicial reforms, and peacebuilding initiatives can strengthen social cohesion, promote restorative justice, and contribute to sustainable peace and development across Africa.
Keywords: Omoluabi; Palaver; Sankofa; African ethics; conflict resolution; peacebuilding; indigenous knowledge systems; restorative justice; African philosophy.
